Vikki Goodwin was elected Texas lieutenant governor, the first Democrat to hold the office since 1999. Republicans still hold majority control of the Texas Senate, which means Goodwin will have to work with them.
Soren Jordan, an associate professor of political science at Texas A&M University, said the lieutenant governor runs the Senate, sets up committees and assigns bills to them. Jordan said those duties give the office influence over how legislation is considered. He said Goodwin will need to balance Democratic priorities with compromise with Senate Republicans. Unlike current Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, she will lead a Senate controlled by the opposite party.
Jordan named school vouchers, Medicaid expansion and regulations on THC products as possible topics for bipartisan discussion. He said public support for those issues could help bring lawmakers together. He also said an agreement in the Senate first could help a bill win support in the House and from the governor. Jordan added that Republicans concerned about future elections may be open to bipartisan lawmaking.