TX-LG: Vikki Goodwin defeats Houston union leader in lieutenant governor Democratic runoff
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin of Austin won a runoff election to be the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, beating a Houston labor leader and first-time candidate who had indirectly received support from the party’s top campaign partner and racked up a variety of endorsements.
Goodwin defeated Marcos Vélez and in November will face Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the popular GOP leader who is sitting on more than $30 million in his campaign coffers and won his own primary in March by the widest margin since he became the state’s second-highest executive 11 years ago.
“Tonight, Texans chose a politics rooted in decency, dignity, and the belief that our state belongs to all of us,” Goodwin said. “Now, we keep going, for public schools, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, clean water, and a Texas that is kinder, safer, and more hopeful.”
Goodwin and Vélez advanced to the runoff after neither secured more than 50% of the vote during the March primary.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/26/texas-lieutenant-governor-democratic-primary-runoff-vikki-goodwin-marcos-velez/