Austin Democratic Rep. Goodwin Announces Lt. Gov. Bid

Austin Democratic Rep. Vikki Goodwin on Tuesday announced that she will run for lieutenant governor in the 2026 election.

In a press release on social media, Goodwin pledged to bring a “pragmatic, family-first approach to state leadership” with an emphasis on “strong public schools, access to abundant and clean water & power, housing affordability, and comprehensive health care for every Texan.”

Goodwin serves on the House’s appropriations and insurance committees. Austin voters first elected her to the Legislature in 2018.

“As a lifelong Texan, a mom, a business owner, and a public servant, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges families across our state face. And sadly, our current leadership is busy tearing down our agencies and institutions, instead of building trust within our communities — both physical and demographic,” Goodwin said in a prepared statement. “I’m running for Lieutenant Governor because I believe in building a Texas that works for all of us — not just the well-connected few.”

So far incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is the only candidate who has announced his intent to run for the governor’s race, though he has not formally filed his campaign paperwork with the state.

If Abbott wins a fourth term and serves its full length, he would be the longest-serving governor in the state’s history, beating his predecessor, Republican Rick Perry, who served for 14 years. That also would place him in the top five of longest-serving governors in U.S. History.

This is a developing story. It will be updated with more information.