Here are the Democratic primary runoff candidates for lieutenant governor
The Democratic primary ballot for Texas lieutenant governor has the top two vote-getters from the March 3 race. Whoever wins will be on the November ballot against Republican Dan Patrick.
Here are the Democratic candidates’ responses to a Star-Telegram questionnaire. They are listed in the order you’ll see them on the ballot.
Vikki Goodwin
Age (as of March 3): 58
Campaign website: https://Goodwin4Texas.com/
Best way for voters to reach you: https://www.vikkigoodwin.com/contact
Occupation: Real Estate Broker
Education: BBA, The University of Texas at Austin, 1989; MPA, The LBJ School at the University of Texas at Austin, 1991
Have you run for elected office before? Yes, Texas House District 47, won election in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Texas. I am serving my fourth term in the Texas House of Representatives. I have been able to pass meaningful legislation and to block harmful legislation. Just a few examples of laws I passed include: establishment of the SW Travis County Groundwater Conservation District; election law that allows women who have just given birth or are about to give birth to vote by mail; Cati’s Act which is aimed at preventing child drowning accidents; the Natalia Cox Act which is a violence prevention law; and expanded access to a mental health treatment called 5NP, or Five Needle Protocol. I have been on two quorum breaks with my Democratic House Caucus to bring attention to Trump’s redistricting demand in 2025, and to the Republicans’ election law changes in 2021 attempting to suppress the vote.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? No
Who are your top three campaign contributors? John Bumgarner, Jeff Weems, Philip Anthony
Why are you seeking this office? After thirty years of Republicans running the state, it is time for change. Republicans are sending our tax dollars to private schools and as a result, are severely underfunding our neighborhood schools. Under Republican leadership, women who have pregnancy complications are dying. Texas is a prosperous state, and yet we have the highest rate of uninsured people who therefore end up in the emergency room where the cost for care is the highest. We need new leadership to serve the people of Texas. I have the experience, the relationships and the ability to solve problems and make a difference for all Texans.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be? As Lieutenant Governor, my top three priorities will be: 1) Supporting our public schools by increasing funding, ending the voucher program, and allowing diversity, cultural education and local decision making; 2) addressing affordability of healthcare, housing, childcare, and utilities by increasing the minimum wage and providing safety net programs and opportunities rather than penalizing people who are one medical emergency away from bankruptcy; and 3) focusing on infrastructure such as water and electricity, ensuring we can meet our needs without driving up the cost.
How will you measure your success as lieutenant governor? I will measure my success by whether or not I reach my top three goals: zero dollars spent on private school vouchers, affordable and accessible healthcare, water security for our growing state. Further, I will be successful when we reach a 50/50 partnership between state and local government on public school funding, and when all Texans have health insurance whether it is a federal program such as expanded Medicaid or a state program such as a state run risk pool to cover people not covered by employer plans.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? Experience matters when taking on the role of Lt Governor. I have experience in the Legislature passing legislation, and I have built relationships and trust with both Representatives and Senators, which will enable me to be more effective once in office. I also have experience in tough campaigns, having won an election against a four-term incumbent Republican in 2018.
As lieutenant governor, how would you interact and work with members of the opposite party? Are there specific policy ideas where you see opportunities for bipartisanship? I believe in collaboration and cooperation, and have experience working across the aisle. Over the past seven years, I have earned the trust and respect of Senators and Representatives in the Texas Legislature. I passed a mental health law expanding access to 5NP with a Republican sponsor, Senator Bob Hall. It is important to find common ground on the issues when possible. There are opportunities for bipartisanship on school funding; lowering costs of insurance, housing and child care; addressing infrastructure, particularly water; and more. I will base decisions on what is best for the majority of Texans, the greater good.
What is the biggest challenge facing Texas? How would you address it if elected? Today everyday Texans are feeling stressed about the economy, demoralized by an administration that is trampling on our constitution, and fearful that our government is broken beyond repair. Affordability is the biggest challenge facing Texas, as prices continue to climb faster than wages. Opportunity to obtain high paying jobs starts with a great education. Affordability is achieved when you have a well-educated and healthy population. Turning things around won’t be easy, but I remain optimistic that we can create policies that will improve the economy, return trust in government, and adhere to our constitution. That starts with supporting our public schools and providing a great education, providing options for preventive healthcare, and expanding programs that are already successful.
What, if anything, should the state do to address costs of living in Texas? Texans’ salaries aren’t keeping up with increasing costs. Raising the minimum wage is a first step to having living wages which will help with affordability. Creating a risk pool for health insurance would address affordability of healthcare. Creating sound policy around water and the growth of data centers will address the cost of utilities within our homes.
Is eliminating school property taxes for homeowners achievable and something you’d support? Why or why not, and what plan do you propose to achieve their elimination or as an alternative? Eliminating school property taxes is not something I support because it would mean shifting the tax burden to those who can least afford it, through a rise in sales taxes. We should always look for ways to ensure tax fairness, and that is not by increasing taxes on the middle class.
What steps, if any, should the state take to prepare for the rise of artificial intelligence? Artificial intelligence requires data centers, which in turn require power and water. Texas should set limitations on the number of data centers in such a way that the necessary infrastructure is in place first. Too often the state allows for growth before the infrastructure needed is in place. Rather, we should plan for the growth, taking the costs into consideration. Data centers will require energy and water, which will require new infrastructure. Those costs should be born by the companies developing AI, not by homeowners needing water and electricity in their homes.
What, if anything, should Texas do to ensure there’s an adequate supply of water and electricity in the state now and in the future? Texas should improve its state water plan to include new information about data centers and the water and electricity needs for them. Too often we lack the planning necessary for infrastructure, which leads to higher prices for consumers. Planning will give insight into necessary regulation and potential limitations on the number of new data centers allowed.
What specific K-12 and higher education policies should Texas prioritize in 2027 when the Texas Legislature next meets? Providing adequate resources/funding is one of the most important things the Legislature should do in 2027 to help our Pre-K-12 schools. The Legislature should also recognize the need for schools to have local level decision making authority, to have programs that support all students, and to have faculty play a role in curriculum and operational decisions.
What role should the state play in immigration and border security? What, if any, specific policies would you support as lieutenant governor? As one of the state’s most influential office holders, the Lt Governor can put pressure on Texas Congressional members to pass a law creating a pathway to citizenship for more immigrants. While it is the federal government’s role to provide border security, there should be collaboration between the different levels of government enforcing laws in a humane way. We know there are many people here who have not finalized the process of gaining US citizenship, but that process has become too lengthy, too expensive and nearly impossible for many people. We should recognize that our workforce is composed of many people who want to be a part of Texas, who are hard-working individuals and who pay taxes but don’t have the rights afforded to US citizens. We have a broken system, and as Lieutenant Governor I would do everything in my power to fix it. I would support a policy that allows for an easier path to citizenship for those people who are not a threat and who wish to come here lawfully.
What, if anything, should the state do in the way of hemp and marijuana policy? I believe products made from hemp or marijuana should be treated like alcohol with an age limit of 21 for purchasing, regulations on labeling so people know what is contained in the product and the strength, and regulations on marketing so products aren’t attractive to children or sold near schools. Criminalizing hemp and marijuana drives the black market and helps the cartels, not the people.
Marcos Isaias Velez
Age (as of March 3): 40
Campaign website: velezfortexas.com
Best way for voters to reach you: info@velezfortexas.com
Occupation: Union Leader
Education: NCCER Certification as a boilermaker, NCCER Certification as a rigger, Graduate of the Harvard Trade Union Program, Graduate of the Steelworkers Leadership Scholarship Program, Graduate of the Lynn Williams Labor Program
Have you run for elected office before? This is my first time running for public office.
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Texas: As the Assistant District Director of the United Steelworkers, I’ve started many initiatives to help people going through hard times get jobs. I helped start a program to give career pathways to women living in a shelter for women who were survivors of domestic violence and bargained with companies’ to codify contract language requiring them to hire from the shelters who participated in our programs. I led the union’s hurricane relief efforts where we provided essential supplies to people impacted by Hurricanes like Harvey. I ran crews of volunteers that went in and helped with the demolition of damaged sheet rock and furniture. I didn’t seek awards for volunteer efforts, but USW gave me the Jefferson Award for public service and volunteerism.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? No
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Houstonians for Working Families, United Steelworkers, Colin Rogero
Why are you seeking this office? I’m running for Lieutenant Governor because the office has enormous power over what Texans are allowed to vote on through their elected senators. Right now that power is being used to block progress, not serve the public. I come from the labor movement, where my job has been to take on powerful corporations and win higher wages, safer working conditions, and job security for working people. I’ve watched popular, pro-worker bills die not because Texans oppose them, but because Dan Patrick uses procedural power to protect corporate donors. Texas doesn’t lack good ideas, we lack leadership willing to fight for them. I’m running to change that.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1) Lower the cost of living. Texans are being crushed by rising housing, utility, childcare, healthcare, and grocery costs. I will prioritize immediate relief where possible, while pursuing long-term structural reforms that expand affordable housing, strengthen tenant protections, rein in monopolistic utilities, and ensure public dollars serve people.
2) Raise wages. The middle class was built by strong labor standards and the ability of workers to bargain collectively. I will fight for higher wages through stronger labor protections, enforcement against wage theft, expanded apprenticeships and training programs, and procurement policies that reward employers who create good jobs.
3) Strengthen public education and workforce pathways. Texas must increase the state’s share of public education funding and reduce over-reliance on local property taxes. I will invest in public schools, career and technical education, community colleges, and apprenticeship pathways.
How will you measure your success as lieutenant governor? Success means Texans can see tangible improvements in their daily lives: lower costs, higher wages, and stronger schools. Procedurally, success also means restoring transparency and accountability to the Senate. This means that bills get hearings, debates happen in public, and legislators are required to vote on issues instead of hiding behind process. If working families feel more secure and the legislature actually functions as a democratic body, that’s success.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? I’m not a career politician. I’m a union leader and negotiator who has spent more than a decade beating powerful corporations on behalf of working people. Dan Patrick has used the office to block progress and inflame culture wars while Texans struggle with rising costs and failing infrastructure. I bring lived experience, real results, and a willingness to use the power of the office to fight for people who don’t have lobbyists in Austin.
In the Democratic Primary, I’m best suited to speak to working-class Texans because I am one. Our party has been hemorrhaging working-class voters because we have paid lip service to wanting to serve them without actually understanding the issues. I’ve spent my entire career as a union leader achieving measurable results for workers I represent (wages, health care, job safety) while most Democratic politicians in Texas can only speak to voting the right way without meaningful change.
As lieutenant governor, how would you interact and work with members of the opposite party? Are there specific policy ideas where you see opportunities for bipartisanship? Collaboration is possible when it’s honest and grounded in results, not when it means capitulating to donors or abandoning values. I’m willing to work with anyone serious about lowering costs, strengthening infrastructure, and supporting workers. Most Republican voters support higher wages, grid reliability, and workforce training. My role would be to put those bills on the agenda and force real debate.
What is the biggest challenge facing Texas? How would you address it if elected? Our biggest challenge is that the cost of living is outpacing wages. Texans are working harder than ever while housing, healthcare, utilities, and groceries keep getting more expensive. I would address this by raising wages, cracking down on wage theft, expanding workforce pipelines, stabilizing utilities, and shifting tax relief toward working families, not corporations that already have the system rigged in their favor.
What, if anything, should the state do to address costs of living in Texas? Texas must pair immediate relief with structural reform. That includes renter-focused tax relief, stronger tenant protections, utility oversight to prevent price gouging, and enforcing labor laws so workers actually receive the pay they earn. Long term, we must invest in housing supply near jobs, transit, and schools, and stop subsidizing low-wage employers with public dollars.
Is eliminating school property taxes for homeowners achievable and something you’d support? Why or why not, and what plan do you propose to achieve their elimination or as an alternative?
Eliminating school property taxes entirely is not realistic without destabilizing school funding. School districts are already facing budget shortfalls and uncertainties due to enrollment declines. I support reducing reliance on property taxes by increasing the state’s share of education funding and targeting relief to homeowners and renters (as opposed to commercial real estate). I also support legalizing gambling, which would be a tax source to offset the decrease in school property taxes. But eliminating them altogether would be reckless and irresponsible.
What steps, if any, should the state take to prepare for the rise of artificial intelligence? Texas should ensure AI benefits workers and consumers, not just corporations. That means protecting worker rights, preventing algorithmic discrimination, safeguarding privacy, and ensuring transparency in AI systems used in employment, housing, and public services. We need to ensure we have a strong regulatory environment when it comes to data centers to ensure they do not pollute ground water or soil. We should also ensure workers are protected so that they can benefit from the technological change instead of being displaced by it.
What, if anything, should Texas do to ensure there’s an adequate supply of water and electricity in the state now and in the future?
The grid needs enforceable reliability standards, weatherization, and accountability for utilities. We need to support an all-of-the-above energy environment where we encourage diversification but protect jobs. We should encourage projects that expand grid capacity through renewables while also maintaining the current sources of electricity.
On water, Texas must invest in conservation, infrastructure repair, and long-term planning to prepare for drought and population growth. Texans should have the right to capture. Corporate interests should not be allowed to dig bottomless wells and siphon millions of gallons of water out of our aquifers. The status quo is corporations digging wells far beneath what local Texans can dig. They siphon off the water, then sell it back to the Texans they stole it from. Water and electricity are public goods and should be treated as such.
What specific K-12 and higher education policies should Texas prioritize in 2027 when the Texas Legislature next meets? Texas should fully fund public schools, pay teachers competitively, expand career and technical education, and strengthen community colleges and apprenticeships. We should protect local control and stop diverting public funds to unaccountable private programs that undermine neighborhood schools. Higher education should remain affordable and focused on workforce needs, research, and innovation, not culture-war micromanagement. I oppose efforts to divert public dollars from neighborhood schools into unaccountable private programs and will defend local control, academic freedom, and evidence-based curriculum decisions.
What role should the state play in immigration and border security? What, if any, specific policies would you support as lieutenant governor? Immigration is primarily a federal responsibility, but Texas should not undermine due process or civil liberties. I oppose Operation Lone Star and support policies that provide humanitarian support, legal counsel, and prohibit state-level criminalization of immigration status. I would push for laws that force ICE agents to show their faces when on duty in Texas and make sure our civil liberties (which are the foundations of this country) are being respected. Texas should focus on public safety, not political stunts.
What, if anything, should the state do in the way of hemp and marijuana policy? Texas needs a coherent, regulated framework. Federal changes have created confusion while leaving Texans exposed to unregulated products. The Legislature should establish clear safety standards, age limits, labeling, and enforcement, rather than bans that push the market underground and make consumers less safe. Marijuana and THC products are also a potential tax revenue source that can fund public schools and take some of the burden off of local property taxes.