Democrats running for down-ballot statewide offices in Texas will take office in January. They were heavily outspent by Republicans and received less attention than their party's candidates for U.S. Senate and governor, according to reporting on the November 3, 2026 election.
Vicki Goodwin, a Democrat, will serve as lieutenant governor after defeating Republican Dan Patrick, who had been in the office for nearly two decades. Goodwin was first elected to the Texas House in 2018, when she defeated Republican Rep. Paul Workman, a four-term incumbent. Political science professor Mark Jones of Rice University has ranked her among the most liberal House members.
Goodwin's stated policy positions include increasing public school funding and teacher pay, expanding Medicaid, and regulating THC with age limits, testing and labeling requirements. She also supports repealing the state's abortion ban and a moratorium on data center development. The story also profiles Democratic attorney general nominee Nathan Johnson.