Dan Patrick, Vikki Goodwin Campaign for Lieutenant Governor

The candidates for Texas lieutenant governor are highlighting opposing platforms as early voting continues across the state.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of the Texas Capitol dome, evoking the institutional gravitas of the lieutenant governor election.
Incumbent Dan Patrick and challenger Vikki Goodwin face off in the Texas lieutenant governor race, presenting starkly different visions for the state’s legislative future. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe state government should prioritize reducing taxes over increasing public service spending?

Incumbent Dan Patrick and challenger Vikki Goodwin are actively campaigning for the Texas lieutenant governor office. Voters are currently heading to the polls during the ongoing early voting period.

Why it matters

The candidates are presenting significantly different approaches to property taxes, public education, and border security. These policy visions will determine the state's legislative direction for the next term.

Bexar County currently has 1.3 million registered voters, a rise of 45,000 compared to the 2024 election. Meanwhile, Dan Patrick has proposed a plan to eliminate school property taxes for the 6 million homeowners in Texas.

The players

Dan Patrick

He has held the office of lieutenant governor in Texas since 2015.

Vikki Goodwin

She is the challenger currently campaigning for the Texas lieutenant governor position.

The details

Vikki Goodwin has filed a police report regarding the emergence of AI-generated campaign videos in the race. The candidates are focused on securing votes while the election approaches following a heated contest over critical state issues.

Timeline

  1. Dan Patrick began serving as lieutenant governor in 2015.

  2. The 2024 presidential election cycle took place.

  3. Early voting in Texas concludes on October 30, 2026.

  4. Election Day is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Political Context

The race centers on intense disagreements regarding the Texas property tax code and its impact on school funding. Opposition groups argue that the proposed changes to the code could create long-term instability for public education funding in the state.

Taxpayers should prepare for potential changes to their property tax assessments based on the outcome of this election. Residents should verify their polling location to ensure they participate before the early voting deadline.

The takeaway

Voters should review the specific tax and education proposals from both candidates before heading to the polls. Monitoring official election updates will help residents navigate the final days of the early voting period.

What happens next

Early voting concludes on October 30, 2026, and Election Day is set for November 3, 2026.

Further reading

Learn more about the state's upcoming races by visiting our Texas Elections coverage.

Live Poll

Do you believe state government should prioritize reducing taxes over increasing public service spending?