Republican incumbent Dan Patrick faces Democrat Vikki Goodwin, Libertarian Anthony Cristo and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick in a race for one of the most powerful offices in Texas government.
Texas voters will decide more than who gets to serve as the state's second-highest elected executive when they head to the polls November 3. They'll also determine who controls the Texas Senate's legislative agenda and helps shape some of the biggest policy decisions affecting the state.
Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is seeking a fourth term after more than a decade in office. Standing in his way is Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin of Austin, who hopes to break the Republican Party's decades-long hold on the position.
Two third-party candidates, Libertarian Anthony Cristo and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick, are also on the ballot. Two additional candidates have declared write-in campaigns.
The candidates offer sharply different visions for Texas, particularly on property taxes, public education, health care, marijuana policy and the role of government.
Here's a closer look at the race and where the candidates stand.
Why the Texas Lieutenant Governor's Office Matters
While the governor gets most of the attention, the lieutenant governor holds extraordinary power over what happens inside the Texas Capitol.
As president of the Texas Senate, the lieutenant governor determines committee assignments, helps set legislative priorities, rules on procedural questions and influences which bills receive consideration.
That means the person holding the office can play a major role in deciding whether legislation involving property taxes, school funding, abortion, energy policy and other controversial issues ever reaches the governor's desk.
The lieutenant governor also co-chairs the Legislative Budget Board, which helps develop the state budget, and serves on the Legislative Redistricting Board, which can redraw political boundaries when lawmakers fail to reach an agreement.
There's another important wrinkle in this year's election.
Much of the lieutenant governor's authority comes from Senate rules adopted by lawmakers. If Goodwin wins, the Republican-controlled Senate could potentially change those rules and significantly reduce her power.
For Patrick, another victory would mean continuing to lead a Senate where he has spent years building relationships with Republican lawmakers and advancing conservative legislation.
Dan Patrick: Republican Incumbent Seeking Fourth Term
Dan Patrick enters the general election with the advantages of incumbency, a substantial campaign war chest and a long record of conservative legislative victories.
First elected lieutenant governor in 2014 after defeating incumbent David Dewhurst in the Republican primary, Patrick previously served in the Texas Senate from 2007 to 2015.
Before entering politics, he worked as a conservative talk radio host, television sportscaster and business owner.
Patrick has become one of the most influential figures in Texas Republican politics and a close ally of President Donald Trump. He chaired Trump's three presidential campaigns in Texas and has helped push the Legislature toward more conservative positions.
His priorities have included expanding school choice, reducing property taxes, strengthening the state's electric grid and advancing socially conservative legislation.
Where Patrick Stands on Major Issues
Property taxes: Patrick supports increasing the school homestead exemption and lowering the age at which homeowners qualify for the senior homestead exemption. Both proposals are intended to provide additional property tax relief.
Education: Patrick has been a leading supporter of school vouchers, which allow eligible families to use taxpayer-funded assistance for private school tuition and other educational expenses. He has also proposed penalties for public schools that fail to remove certain graphic books from their libraries.
Abortion: Patrick supports maintaining Texas' abortion restrictions.
THC and marijuana: Patrick favors banning the sale of THC products, putting him at odds with candidates who support legalization or regulation.
Energy and infrastructure: Patrick has emphasized strengthening the electric grid while arguing that plans for new high-voltage transmission lines should protect Texas landowners and communities.
He has also directed senators to study surrogacy involving foreign nationals ahead of the 2027 legislative session.
Patrick's record includes supporting the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program and the Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas, initiatives that have drawn criticism from some fiscal conservatives.
Patrick's Campaign Finances
Patrick reported approximately $35.3 million in cash on hand as of June 30, giving him a massive financial advantage heading into the final months of the campaign.
His campaign raised roughly $6 million during the first six months of 2026.
Major contributors included the Elon Musk Revocable Trust, which donated $500,000, investment analyst Kenneth Fisher at $400,000 and businessman John Nau II at $275,000.
Ross Perot Jr. and investor Harlan Crow each contributed $250,000.
That financial strength gives Patrick considerable resources for advertising, voter outreach and other campaign activities.
Vikki Goodwin: Democrat Campaigning on Schools and Affordability
Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin is attempting to unseat Patrick by focusing on public education, household expenses and access to health care.
Goodwin was first elected to the Texas House in 2018 after defeating Republican incumbent Paul Workman. She represents portions of southwest Austin and Travis County.
During her legislative career, she has worked on measures involving child safety and domestic violence protections.
She authored Cati's Act in 2023, establishing drowning prevention requirements for child care organizations, including camps. She also sponsored the Natalia Cox Act, which addresses notification requirements for domestic violence victims.
Goodwin serves as a whip for the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus and has consistently been ranked among the more liberal members of the Texas House.
Her campaign presents voters with a clear alternative to Patrick's conservative leadership.
Where Goodwin Stands on Major Issues
Public education: Goodwin wants to increase funding for public schools and raise teacher salaries. Education has been a central focus of her campaign.
Health care: She supports expanding Medicaid and creating a statewide health care program to improve access to medical services.
Abortion: Goodwin wants to repeal Texas' abortion ban.
Housing affordability: She supports a Fair Rent Incentive Act intended to encourage lower rental costs.
Water infrastructure: Goodwin advocates additional investments in water infrastructure and recycling to address the state's long-term water needs.
THC regulation: Rather than banning THC products, Goodwin supports regulating their sale through age restrictions, product testing and labeling requirements.
Goodwin has also supported a moratorium on data center development, raised concerns about proposals to reduce polling locations in Tarrant County and called for greater accountability for federal immigration enforcement officers.
Goodwin's Campaign Finances
Goodwin reported $317,571 in cash on hand as of June 30, a fraction of Patrick's available campaign funds.
Her campaign raised approximately $757,078 during the first half of 2026.
Singer and songwriter Don Henley was her largest listed contributor at $109,000. Other contributors included Annie's List PAC, Sun City Democrats and Texas American Federation of Teachers President Zeph Capo.
The fundraising gap illustrates the difficult challenge facing Goodwin as she attempts to defeat a well-established Republican incumbent in a statewide election.
Anthony Cristo: Libertarian Candidate Calls for Smaller Government
Libertarian Anthony Cristo is offering voters a platform centered on reducing government spending, lowering taxes and expanding individual freedom.
Cristo is a high school teacher in San Antonio who previously ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Texas' 15th District in 2018 and 34th District in 2020.
His campaign reflects the Libertarian Party's emphasis on limited government and personal liberty.
Cristo argues that Texas should lower property taxes by reducing government spending rather than relying primarily on exemptions or shifting tax burdens.
He also believes the state's budget surplus reflects excessive taxation.
On immigration, Cristo supports a free-market approach that recognizes the economic contributions of working immigrants.
He also favors marijuana legalization, arguing that Texas should move away from prohibition.
Cristo reported $777 in campaign cash and $1,694 raised since January 1, leaving his campaign with limited financial resources compared with the major-party candidates.
Kevin McCormick: Green Party Candidate Focuses on Environment and Election Reform
Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick is campaigning on environmental protection, public participation in government and economic policies aimed at supporting communities.
McCormick earned a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 1986 and previously worked as a high school mathematics teacher in San Antonio.
He unsuccessfully ran for Texas' 24th Congressional District in 2016.
His platform emphasizes sustainable development, environmental protection and changes to the state's election system.
McCormick supports expanding public transportation in Texas cities to reduce traffic congestion.
For rural communities, he advocates sustainable agriculture, hemp production and processing, and infrastructure improvements.
He also wants Texas to adopt ranked-choice voting, establish a statewide single primary election and reduce partisan gerrymandering.
On property taxes, McCormick proposes changing appraisal methods to place greater emphasis on comparable rental or lease values rather than potential property sale prices.
His environmental priorities include conserving water resources, reducing pollution and encouraging renewable energy.
McCormick also supports hiring more public school teachers and improving classroom curriculum.
His campaign reported $94 in cash on hand as of June 30 and $151 raised during the first six months of the year.
Write-In Candidates Also Seeking Office
Two additional candidates have declared write-in campaigns for lieutenant governor.
Stephen Samuelson and Arturo Espinosa, both of whom lost in the Republican primary for governor, are seeking the position through write-in votes.
Voters interested in supporting a write-in candidate should check the official list of eligible declared write-in candidates and follow the instructions provided at their polling location.
What's at Stake in November?
The lieutenant governor's race offers voters four distinct approaches to governing Texas.
Patrick wants to continue advancing conservative policies through a Senate he has led for more than a decade.
Goodwin is campaigning for greater public school investment, expanded health care access and policies aimed at easing household expenses.
Cristo wants to reduce the size and cost of government while expanding personal and economic freedom.
McCormick is emphasizing environmental sustainability, election reform and investments in communities.
The financial advantage clearly belongs to Patrick, whose campaign has tens of millions of dollars available compared with the substantially smaller accounts of his challengers.
But the election ultimately comes down to voters and their priorities.
Whether Texans want another four years of Patrick's conservative leadership or a different direction for the state Senate, the outcome will influence legislative debates over education, taxes, health care, energy and individual rights.
