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ElectionCentral Austin

Q&A: Meet the 4 candidates running for lieutenant governor of Texas

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Hannah Norton

2 min read

Published September 4, 2026 at 10:56 a.m. CT

Q&A: Meet the 4 candidates running for lieutenant governor of Texas — Libertarian Anthony Cristo, Democrat Vikki Goodwin and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick are challenging Republican incumbent Dan Patrick in the Texas lieutenant governor's race this November. (Photos submitted by respective candidates and Hannah Norton/Community Impact)

Four candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the Nov. 3 election.

What's happening

Libertarian Anthony Cristo, Democrat Vikki Goodwin and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick are challenging Republican incumbent Dan Patrick, who is seeking a fourth term.

The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Patrick won his Republican primary race in March, while Goodwin advanced to the general election after beating another Democrat in a May primary runoff, Community Impact reported. Cristo and McCormick were selected as their parties' candidates during nominating conventions in April.

Write-in candidates may also appear on the ballot; however, Community Impact does not send questionnaires to write-in candidates.

Something to note

Patrick's campaign did not fill out Community Impact's questionnaire, and instead shared the following statement: "Texans know where Lt. Gov. Patrick stands on the issues that matter to the people of Texas, including those you raise in your questionnaire. The most current information about his positions is available on his campaign website, www.danpatrick.org, as well as his official website, www.ltgov.state.tx.us."

Preparing for the polls

Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3. In addition to eight statewide races, the following state and federal seats are up for election this fall:

38 U.S. House seats (by congressional district)
Four seats on the Texas Supreme Court (statewide)
Three seats on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (statewide)
Three seats on Texas' 15th Court of Appeals (statewide)
16 state Senate seats (by legislative district)
150 state House seats (by legislative district)
Eight State Board of Education seats (by SBOE district)

For more coverage of local and state races, visit communityimpact.com/election.

Zooming in

Candidate Q&A

Anthony Cristo

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

Website:: https://www.anthonycristo.com/

What would your top priorities be if elected?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

How will you balance the development of data centers and other large projects with constituent concerns about rapid growth?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

What will you do to support workforce development, small businesses and economic growth?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next 5 years?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

Vikki Goodwin

Rep. Goodwin is a four-term legislator and a small business owner.

Website:: https://www.vikkigoodwin.com/

What would your top priorities be if elected?

My top priorities are making Texas more affordable, fully funding our public schools while stopping private school vouchers, lowering healthcare costs and expanding access through the Texas Cares Plan, and protecting our water resources by ensuring data centers and other major developments grow responsibly and pay their fair share.

How will you balance the development of data centers and other large projects with constituent concerns about rapid growth?

Texas should lead in innovation, but not at the expense of the people who live here. Data centers and other major projects must account for their impacts on water, the electric grid, housing costs, and local infrastructure, while ensuring communities have a meaningful voice in the process.

What will you do to support workforce development, small businesses and economic growth?

I've worked across the aisle to support small businesses, expand apprenticeship and workforce training opportunities, and invest in the infrastructure our economy needs. I'll continue fighting for policies that help entrepreneurs succeed, prepare Texans for good-paying jobs, and ensure economic growth benefits communities across our state.

What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?

If we want Texas to keep growing, we have to invest in what makes that growth possible: great public schools, affordable healthcare, and reliable infrastructure. Those are the priorities that will make life better for Texans and keep our economy strong.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next 5 years?

The biggest challenge is making sure Texas keeps investing in its people. That starts with fully funding our public schools, ensuring every Texan has access to affordable healthcare, and protecting our water supply so families, businesses, and communities can thrive for generations.

Kevin McCormick

Presently retired; I have wide experience including working as an attorney and teaching high school.

Website:: https://www.kmm2026.org/

What would your top priorities be if elected?

Greatly improve public transportation in Texas cities. Rural investment for family farm greenhouses and a system for selling local produce in grocery stores. Reform of the Election Code to have ranked-choice voting, a statewide primary for four parties plus independents and rules to significantly limit gerrymandering.

How will you balance the development of data centers and other large projects with constituent concerns about rapid growth?

I believe the data center boom is part of the Wall Street AI speculative bubble. I am opposed to any tax reductions, electricity priorities or water transfers for data centers. At this point, I suspect many planned data centers will not be built.

What will you do to support workforce development, small businesses and economic growth?

The need for workforce development is the result of the establishment parties' neglect of public education and poor education policies. Property taxes are too high and should be based on economic value instead of speculative value. We will strengthen our economy by making Texas a better place to live.

What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?

Besides the three priorities for Question 1, I would emphasize water resources and modernization of water policy; development of an effective policy of public health and preventive primary healthcare; development of environmentally-sound agriculture; and development of renewable energy and electrification of transportation.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next 5 years?

The greatest challenge is our response to climate change. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% and double organic matter in soils. We must develop a sustainable economy that is not based on Wall Street bubbles and provides meaningful and well-paying jobs. See https://kmm2026.org for more information.

Dan Patrick

Incumbent

Lieutenant governor

Website:: https://www.danpatrick.org/

What would your top priorities be if elected?

Candidate’s campaign provided the following statement: "Texans know where Lt. Gov. Patrick stands on the issues that matter to the people of Texas, including those you raise in your questionnaire. The most current information about his positions is available on his campaign website, www.danpatrick.org, as well as his official website..."

How will you balance the development of data centers and other large projects with constituent concerns about rapid growth?

Candidate’s campaign provided the following statement: "Texans know where Lt. Gov. Patrick stands on the issues that matter to the people of Texas, including those you raise in your questionnaire. The most current information about his positions is available on his campaign website, www.danpatrick.org, as well as his official website..."

What will you do to support workforce development, small businesses and economic growth?

Candidate’s campaign provided the following statement: "Texans know where Lt. Gov. Patrick stands on the issues that matter to the people of Texas, including those you raise in your questionnaire. The most current information about his positions is available on his campaign website, www.danpatrick.org, as well as his official website..."

What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?

Candidate’s campaign provided the following statement: "Texans know where Lt. Gov. Patrick stands on the issues that matter to the people of Texas, including those you raise in your questionnaire. The most current information about his positions is available on his campaign website, www.danpatrick.org, as well as his official website..."

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next 5 years?

Candidate’s campaign provided the following statement: "Texans know where Lt. Gov. Patrick stands on the issues that matter to the people of Texas, including those you raise in your questionnaire. The most current information about his positions is available on his campaign website, www.danpatrick.org, as well as his official website..."