Ticket Splitter Take the quiz
Colleyville, Texas: November 3, 2026

Who is running for Texas Lieutenant Governor in 2026?

Here are the candidates for Texas Lieutenant Governor on the November 3, 2026 ballot in Colleyville, Texas.

Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.

Dan Patrick

Republican · Incumbent

Lieutenant Governor of Texas

Dan Patrick has been lieutenant governor of Texas since 2015 and presides over the Texas Senate2. He served in the Texas Senate from 2007 to 2015 and earlier founded a Houston talk radio station2. He is seeking a fourth term1.

Where they stand

  • School choice: Yes, universal school choice for every family Official action · high confidence
    • Patrick named SB 2, 'Providing School Choice,' a top 2025 priority; it passed and created an education savings account program. (2025) source
    • SB 2 was signed into law on May 3, 2025. (2025-05-03) source
  • Marijuana: Medical use only Official action · high confidence
    • At a June 24, 2025 news conference Patrick said, 'I will not sign a bill that legalizes marijuana in Texas,' and praised the expanded Texas Compassionate Use (medical) Program passed that session. (2025-06-24) source
    • HB 46, which expanded the medical use of low-THC cannabis under the Compassionate-Use Program, passed the Legislature and was signed on June 20, 2025. (2025-06-20) source
    • Patrick made SB 3, a ban on intoxicating hemp-derived THC products that left the Compassionate Use medical program unchanged, a major priority. (2025-03-19) source
    • After the governor vetoed SB 3, Patrick said a ban is the only way to truly protect kids and noted that recreational marijuana is still illegal in Texas. (2025-09-12) source
  • Property taxes: Keep cutting them and cap how fast they can rise Official action · medium confidence
    • Patrick prioritized SB 4 and SB 23 in 2025, raising the school homestead exemption to 140,000 dollars and to 200,000 dollars for seniors. (2025) source
    • He has proposed raising the homestead exemption to 180,000 dollars and lowering the senior exemption age to 55, and pushed back on eliminating school property taxes outright, saying it could require doubling sales taxes. (2025-12-11) source
  • Immigration: Deport everyone here illegally, as quickly as possible Official action · medium confidence
    • Patrick named SB 8, 'Requiring Local Law Enforcement to Assist the Federal Government's Deportation Efforts,' a top 2025 priority. (2025) source
    • At the 2023 signing of the border package including a state illegal entry crime, he said securing the southern border has been one of his biggest priorities. (2023-12-18) source
  • Guns: Remove most restrictions; bearing arms is a right Official action · high confidence
    • After the Senate passed HB 1927, the constitutional carry bill, Patrick said 'the Constitution is our permit to carry.' (2021-05-05) source
    • HB 1927 allows people 21 and older who may legally possess a handgun to carry one without a license, and became law in 2021. (2021-06-16) source
  • Redistricting: State legislatures draw maps and may redraw any time, including for partisan advantage Official action · high confidence
    • The Senate under Patrick passed HB 4, a mid-decade congressional map adding five Republican-majority districts, and he said it will 'more accurately reflect our state.' (2025-08-23) source
  • Religion in schools: Support Texas's laws: Ten Commandments in classrooms and optional prayer periods Official action · high confidence
    • Patrick named SB 10, 'Placing the Ten Commandments in School,' and SB 11, 'Protecting the Freedom to Pray in School,' top 2025 priorities. (2025) source
    • SB 10, requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, was signed on June 20, 2025, along with SB 11. (2025-06-20) source
  • Curriculum and books: Parents, including the right to remove material they object to Official action · medium confidence
    • Patrick's 2025 priorities included SB 12, a parental bill of rights in public education, and SB 13, 'Guarding Against Inappropriate Books in Public Schools.' (2025) source
    • His 2023 priorities included SB 13, 'Protecting Children from Obscene Books in Libraries.' (2023-02-13) source
  • DEI programs: Ban DEI offices and required training at public institutions, as Texas has Official action · high confidence
    • Patrick named SB 17, 'Banning Discriminatory Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies in Higher Education,' a 2023 priority; it became law. (2023-02-13) source
    • SB 17 was signed on June 17, 2023. (2023-06-17) source
  • Gender care for minors: No, ban these treatments for minors Official action · high confidence
    • Patrick named SB 14, 'Ending Child Gender Modification,' a 2023 priority; it became law. (2023-02-13) source
    • SB 14 prohibits gender transition procedures and treatments for minors and was signed on June 2, 2023. (2023-06-02) source
  • Transgender athletes: No, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed options Official action · high confidence
    • Patrick named SB 15, 'Protecting Women's College Sports,' a 2023 priority; it requires college athletes to compete based on biological sex and became law. (2023-02-13) source
    • SB 15 was signed on June 18, 2023. (2023-06-18) source
  • Texas power grid: Pay for more backup natural gas plants Official action · high confidence
    • Patrick's 2023 priorities included SB 6, 'Adding New Natural Gas Plants,' and SB 7, 'Continuing to Improve the Texas Grid.' (2023-02-13) source
    • The Senate passed SB 2627 in 2023, which set up funding to support building and operating power plants and became law. (2023-06-09) source
  • AI data centers: Welcome them, but make them pay their full share of grid and water costs Official action · medium confidence
    • Patrick named SB 6, 'Increasing Texas' Electric Grid Reliability,' a 2025 priority. (2025) source
    • SB 6 became law and sets planning, interconnection and cost rules for certain very large electric loads, such as data centers. (2025-06-20) source
    • In 2026 he directed senators to weigh data center growth against impacts on landowners and water and to study the cost of data center sales tax exemptions. (2026-03) source
  • Policing and crime: Tougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bail Official action · high confidence
    • Patrick named SB 9 and SB 40, both on bail reform, top 2025 priorities, describing SB 9 as keeping violent criminals off the streets. (2025) source
    • His 2023 priorities included more funding for rural law enforcement and a mandatory 10-year prison sentence for gun crimes. (2023-02-13) source
  • Mandatory minimums: Add or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl trafficking Official action · high confidence
    • Patrick named SB 23, 'Creating A Mandatory 10-Year Prison Sentence for Criminals Committing Gun Crime,' a 2023 priority. (2023-02-13) source
    • The Senate passed SB 23 on April 5, 2023; it was left pending in a House committee. (2023-04-05) source
  • Election rules: Strict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballots Official action · medium confidence
    • Patrick named SB 16, 'Stopping Non-Citizens from Voting,' a 2025 priority. (2025) source
    • SB 16 would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote; it passed the Senate but did not pass the House. (2025-05-25) source
    • His 2023 priorities included SB 2, restoring illegal voting to a felony. (2023-02-13) source
  • China policy: Get tougher: broad tariffs, land purchase bans like Texas SB 17, and forced app sales Official action · high confidence
    • Patrick named SB 17, 'Stopping Foreign Adversaries' Land Grabs,' a 2025 priority; it restricts purchases of Texas real estate by certain foreign individuals and entities and became law. (2025) source
    • SB 17 was signed on June 20, 2025. (2025-06-20) source
  • Housing and growth: Allow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices down Official action · medium confidence
    • Patrick named SB 15, 'Removing Barriers to Affordable Housing,' a 2025 priority; it limits lot size and density requirements for new homes in certain cities and became law. (2025) source
    • SB 15 was signed on June 20, 2025. (2025-06-20) source
  • Abortion: Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incest Official action · medium confidence
    • Patrick named SB 31, the 'Life of the Mother Act,' and SB 33, 'Stopping Taxpayer-Funded Abortion Travel,' 2025 priorities. (2025) source
    • SB 31, which sets out when physicians may use medical judgment to perform an otherwise prohibited abortion, became law in 2025. (2025-06-20) source
  • Business regulation: Cut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental rules Official action · medium confidence
    • Patrick named SB 14, 'Texas DOGE, Improving Government Efficiency,' a 2025 priority; it reforms how state agencies adopt rules and impose regulatory requirements and became law. (2025) source
    • SB 14 was signed on April 23, 2025. (2025-04-23) source

No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Healthcare, Energy and climate, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate.

Vikki Goodwin

Democrat

State Representative, Texas House District 47

Vikki Goodwin is a Democratic state representative from Austin, in the House since 2019, and the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor31. She is a real estate broker who runs a business with her husband and previously worked as a systems analyst for the Texas attorney general's office211. She holds business and public affairs degrees from the University of Texas2.

Where they stand

  • School choice: No, keep public money in traditional public schools Voted · high confidence
    • Goodwin voted no on SB 2, which created the state education savings account program. (2025-04-17) source
    • Goodwin voted yes on an amendment removing the education savings account article from HB 1. (2023-11-17) source
    • Goodwin said her priority as lieutenant governor will be to end private school vouchers or any program that diverts public dollars to private schools. (2026) source
  • Minimum wage: Raise it to around $15 Questionnaire answer · high confidence
    • Goodwin said Texas should increase the minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour at minimum. (2026) source
    • Her campaign says she supports raising the minimum wage to at least 15 dollars and raising the tipped-worker wage. (2026) source
  • Healthcare: Add a government plan anyone can buy into (a public option) Said · high confidence
    • Goodwin's Texas Cares plan would expand Medicaid and create a state-run insurance option, Lone Star Preferred, available to all Texans with income-based premiums. (2026) source
    • She filed HB 1423 to expand Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. (2025-03-11) source
  • Guns: Add universal background checks and red-flag laws Questionnaire answer · high confidence
    • Goodwin called for strengthening background checks, extreme risk protective orders with due process, and mandatory training and safe storage laws. (2026) source
    • Goodwin voted no on final approval of HB 1927, which allows handgun carry without a license. (2021-05-23) source
  • Abortion: Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks) Said · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted no on SB 8, the 2021 law banning most abortions after cardiac activity is detected. (2021-05-06) source
    • Goodwin voted no on HB 1280, the 2021 law prohibiting abortion. (2021-05-06) source
    • She filed HB 2251 to add exceptions to the abortion ban, including for health risks, severe fetal anomalies and rape or incest, and to repeal older abortion laws. (2025-03) source
    • She said women should have the right to make their own personal, private health care decisions. (2026) source
    • Her campaign calls for restoring full reproductive care, saying recent restrictions have led to serious complications for Texas women. (2026) source
  • AI data centers: Pause new approvals until the state finishes studying power and water impacts Said · high confidence
    • Goodwin said Texas must pause new data center construction until the Legislature passes laws putting people's and animals' water and power use first, and she called for a special session on data centers. (2026) source
  • Marijuana: Legalize and regulate it like alcohol Said · medium confidence
    • Goodwin said Texas needs a sensible regulatory framework for THC rather than outright prohibition, with age limits and testing. (2026) source
    • Her Texas Cares plan would be funded partly by a proposed state tax on legal cannabis sales. (2026) source
    • She voted yes on HB 218 in 2023, a bill lowering the penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana. (2023-04-27) source
    • News coverage of the House vote describes HB 218 as making possession of an ounce or less a fine-only Class C misdemeanor. (2023-04-26) source
  • Ranked-choice voting: Let cities and counties choose it for local races Said · high confidence
    • Goodwin's campaign says she supports allowing ranked-choice voting, particularly in city and school board elections. (2026) source
  • Election rules: Easier access: automatic registration and mail voting for anyone Said · low confidence
    • Goodwin's campaign says she is pushing for online voter registration and expanded voting options. (2026) source
    • Goodwin voted no on final approval of SB 1, the 2021 election law. (2021-08-31) source
  • Property taxes: Keep cutting them and cap how fast they can rise Voted · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted yes on SB 4, raising the school homestead exemption. (2025-05-21) source
    • Goodwin says the Legislature raised homestead exemptions while capping local tax increases, and that the state should take on more of the cost of schools, health care and roads so Texans are not taxed out of their homes. (2026) source
  • Housing and growth: Allow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices down Voted · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted yes on final approval of SB 15, which limits lot size and density requirements for new homes in certain cities. (2025-06-01) source
    • She says Texas should streamline local permitting and cut regulations that raise housing costs to increase supply. (2026) source
  • Childcare and pre-K: Target free pre-K and subsidies to low-income and priority families Official action · medium confidence
    • Goodwin filed HB 4598 to fund the state's subsidized child care program through an employer contribution. (2025-04) source
    • She filed HB 494 to make children of public school employees eligible for free pre-K. (2025-02) source
  • Safety net programs: Expand help for childcare, housing and paid family leave Said · medium confidence
    • Goodwin's campaign says she supports new funding streams for child care and a Fair Rent Incentive Act to lower rents. (2026) source
    • Her healthcare page calls for expanding Medicaid. (2026) source
    • She filed HB 1423 to expand Medicaid. (2025-03-11) source
  • Gender care for minors: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Voted · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted no on SB 14, which prohibits gender transition treatments for minors. (2023-05-15) source
    • Her campaign cites her A+ rating from Equality Texas and support for equal rights regardless of gender identity. (2026) source
  • DEI programs: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Voted · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted no on SB 17, which bans DEI initiatives at public universities. (2023-05-22) source
    • Goodwin voted no on SB 12, which bars DEI duties in K-12 schools. (2025-05-25) source
  • Religion in schools: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Voted · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted no on SB 10, requiring Ten Commandments displays in classrooms. (2025-05-25) source
    • Goodwin voted no on SB 11, allowing a period of prayer and Bible reading in schools. (2025-05-23) source
    • In a Ballotpedia survey Goodwin said she will ensure schools maintain religious freedom. (2026) source
    • Her campaign's education page, under 'Protecting Separation of Church and State,' says tax dollars should not fund religious education. (2026) source
  • AI regulation: Let states like Texas write their own targeted AI rules Voted · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted yes on HB 149, which regulates the use of artificial intelligence systems in Texas. (2025-04-23) source
  • Energy and climate: A gradual shift to cleaner energy, driven by incentives Said · low confidence
    • Goodwin's campaign says she supports strategies to address extreme weather and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while balancing economic growth. (2026) source
  • Immigration: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Said · medium confidence
    • Goodwin supports comprehensive immigration reform addressing border security and economic realities, and says state and local cooperation with federal immigration agencies erodes trust. (2026) source
    • Goodwin voted no on SB 8, on sheriff agreements with ICE. (2025-05-25) source
  • Redistricting: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Voted · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted no on HB 4, the 2025 mid-decade congressional map. (2025-08-20) source
  • Transgender athletes: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Voted · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted no on HB 25, requiring K-12 athletes to compete by biological sex. (2021-10-14) source
    • Goodwin voted no on SB 15, applying the same rule to college sports. (2023-05-18) source
  • Curriculum and books: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Voted · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted no on HB 900, setting state rules for school library materials. (2023-04-20) source
    • Goodwin voted no on final approval of SB 13, on school library advisory councils and parental rights. (2025-05-31) source
  • Policing and crime: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Voted · medium confidence
    • Goodwin voted yes on SJR 5, a constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail in certain felony cases. (2025-05-19) source
    • Goodwin voted no on HB 1900, which penalizes cities that cut police budgets. (2021-05-07) source

No public position found on: Business regulation, Texas power grid, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Paid leave, Student loans, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, China policy.

Anthony Cristo

Libertarian

Private citizen

Anthony Cristo is a high school teacher from Cibolo and the Libertarian nominee for lieutenant governor13. He served in the Navy Reserve as a corpsman and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of the Incarnate Word2. He ran for Congress as a Libertarian in 2018 and 20202.

Where they stand

  • Marijuana: Legalize and regulate it like alcohol Said · high confidence
    • Cristo's campaign site says it is time to legalize marijuana in Texas and end prohibition. (2026) source
    • In a Ballotpedia survey he said legal marijuana sales would raise state sales tax revenue that could fund schools and lower property taxes. (2026-06-02) source
  • Safety net programs: Cut them back; families, churches and charities should lead Said · medium confidence
    • Cristo's campaign site says that as a Libertarian he opposes taxpayer-funded welfare. (2026) source
  • Immigration: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Questionnaire answer · medium confidence
    • Cristo said Texas should lead on immigration reform by allowing workers from Mexico to come into the country to work and then return home. (2026-06-02) source
    • His campaign site says he supports people who come to Texas ready to work and that politicians should stop blaming immigrants. (2026) source
  • Property taxes: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Said · medium confidence
    • Cristo said he is skeptical of property tax relief plans that do not cut spending and that shifting the burden to sales taxes is not real relief. (2026) source

No public position found on: Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Energy and climate, Texas power grid, AI data centers, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.

Kevin McCormick

Green

Private citizen

Kevin McCormick is a retired teacher from Lindale and the Green Party nominee for lieutenant governor18. He holds a political science degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center, and taught math in San Antonio2.

Where they stand

  • Healthcare: Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All) Said · high confidence
    • McCormick's campaign site says he supports Medicare for All, funded by the federal government. (2026) source
  • Ranked-choice voting: Yes, use it for state and federal races too Said · high confidence
    • McCormick proposes that all primary, general and special elections in Texas use ranked-choice voting. (2026-07-14) source
  • Redistricting: Legislatures draw maps under strict neutral rules that courts can enforce Questionnaire answer · medium confidence
    • McCormick proposed amending the Texas Constitution to require districts that pass a mathematical test making them mostly rectangular, to prevent gerrymandering. (2026) source
  • Election rules: Easier access: automatic registration and mail voting for anyone Said · medium confidence
    • McCormick proposes automatically registering to vote anyone who receives a state-issued ID, plus enough voting machines and polling places to prevent long lines. (2026-07-14) source
  • Marijuana: Decriminalize small amounts (fines, not jail) Said · medium confidence
    • McCormick says the war on drugs has failed and that decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana reduces drug cartel revenue and possession arrests. (2026) source
  • School choice: No, keep public money in traditional public schools Said · medium confidence
    • McCormick says the voucher program created in 2025 will further impair public education and diverts public money to benefit the wealthy. (2026) source
  • Curriculum and books: Teachers and librarians, as trained professionals Said · medium confidence
    • McCormick proposes that State Board of Education members be nominated by school boards and elected by teachers. (2026) source
  • Property taxes: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Said · medium confidence
    • McCormick proposes appraising property using rental value and household income instead of recent sales, which he says would reduce and stabilize property taxes. (2026) source

No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, Texas power grid, AI data centers, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Gender care for minors, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.

Last reviewed 2026-09-26. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.