With about 53% of the estimated vote counted as of 9:12 p.m., Democrat Goodwin had about 57% of the vote, compared with about 41% for Republican incumbent Dan Patrick, according to The Associated Press. Libertarian Anthony Cristo had 1.5%, and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick had 0.8%. The race is too early to call, with Election Day votes still being counted across Texas.
Patrick was first elected lieutenant governor in 2014 and is seeking a fourth term. Goodwin, a state representative from a Travis County-based district, was seeking to become the first Democrat elected lieutenant governor since 1994. Republicans have won every statewide office in Texas since the 1990s.
The lieutenant governor presides over the Texas Senate, appoints committee chairs and members, and co-chairs the Legislative Budget Board. Goodwin campaigned on increasing public school funding and teacher pay, expanding health care access, repealing the state's abortion ban and regulating THC products rather than banning them. Patrick has pushed for property tax cuts, private school vouchers and restrictions on abortion and THC products.