Lieutenant Governor of Texas · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in the Texas lieutenant governor race?
Vikki Goodwin has the strongest record in the Texas lieutenant governor race. Vikki Goodwin scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Dan Patrick at 65, as of October 5, 2026. Vikki Goodwin's highest marks are relevant experience and accountability. Dan Patrick's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Anthony Cristo (5 of 15 criteria) and Kevin McCormick (5 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Libertarian
Anthony Cristo
On the ballot as ANTHONY CRISTO
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Strongest record
Vikki Goodwin
On the ballot as VIKKI GOODWIN
66 / 100
Public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 56
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 63
Green
Kevin McCormick
On the ballot as KEVIN MCCORMICK
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
Republican · incumbent
Dan Patrick
On the ballot as DAN PATRICK
65 / 100
Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 55
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 58
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Anthony Cristo
- On the record2026
Certified by the Secretary of State as the Libertarian nominee for lieutenant governor on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot; reported $777 cash on hand to the Texas Ethics Commission.
Sources: Texas Secretary of State, 2026 general election ballot certification, Texas Tribune, Sept. 28, 2026
Vikki Goodwin
- On the record2025-08 to 2026-05
Joined the August 2025 House Democratic quorum break over the congressional map and was named in the attorney general's petition to remove 13 Democrats; the Texas Supreme Court rejected the removal bids May 15, 2026.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Aug. 8, 2025, Texas Tribune, May 15, 2026, Texas Tribune, April 10, 2026
- Credit2026-08-23
Held a free town hall open to the public in Waco on Aug. 23, 2026, her fourth campaign visit to McLennan County, presenting her Texas Cares health plan.
Source: KWKT Fox 44, Aug. 23, 2026, as published by Yahoo News
- Credit2023-06-02
Authored HB 59, Cati's Act, child water safety requirements for child care organizations including camps, signed into law June 2, 2023 and effective Sept. 1, 2023.
Sources: Texas Legislature Online, HB 59 (88R) history, Texas Tribune, Sept. 28, 2026
- Credit2023 to 2024
Scored Meets expectations on the Center for Effective Lawmaking's State Legislative Effectiveness Score for 2023 to 2024 (0.89, rank 62 of 150), with three authored bills becoming law, while in the minority.
- Credit2019 and 2023
Two of her enacted bills drew Republican partners: Rep. Ellen Troxclair was a joint author of HB 59 (2023), and Sen. Paul Bettencourt sponsored her HB 2650 (2019) in the Senate.
Sources: Texas Legislature Online, HB 59 (88R) history, Texas Legislature Online, bills authored, 86th Legislature, Ballotpedia, Ellen Troxclair
Kevin McCormick
- On the record2026
Certified by the Secretary of State as the Green Party nominee for lieutenant governor on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot; co-chairs the U.S. Green Party's Banking and Monetary Reform Committee.
Sources: Texas Secretary of State, 2026 general election ballot certification, San Antonio Report candidate profile
Dan Patrick
- Mark against2017 to 2021
In August 2021 he said unvaccinated Black residents were driving Texas COVID-19 cases; FactCheck.org rated it false and the Texas Tribune reported state data did not support it. PolitiFact rated seven other statements from 2017 to 2021 False or worse.
Sources: PolitiFact, Dan Patrick statements rated False, PolitiFact, Dan Patrick statements rated Pants on Fire, FactCheck.org, Aug. 24, 2021, Texas Tribune, Aug. 20, 2021
- Mark against2008-04-10
The Texas Ethics Commission imposed a $7,400 civil penalty in 2008 (SC-2612262) for reporting about $73,500 of 2006 campaign expenditures without required vendor details; he neither admitted nor denied the findings.
Source: Texas Ethics Commission, Order and Agreed Resolution SC-2612262
- Unresolved2026-09-19
Vikki Goodwin filed a criminal complaint with the Travis County Sheriff's Office on Sept. 19, 2026 alleging two AI-generated Patrick campaign videos violated the state deepfake law; his campaign called them parody.
Where it stands: Complaint filed by his opponent; no charge, finding or official action reported as of Oct. 5, 2026. The videos were removed from his X account.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 21, 2026, KUT, as published by Houston Public Media, Sept. 21, 2026
- Unresolved2025-11-17
Former Alamo Trust president Kate Rogers sued Patrick and others in federal court in November 2025, alleging they violated her First Amendment rights by pressing for her removal over her dissertation.
Where it stands: Pending in federal court. On Aug. 25, 2026 the judge denied most motions to dismiss; no finding of liability. Patrick's attorneys did not comment.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Nov. 17, 2025, San Antonio Express-News, as published by Yahoo News, Aug. 26, 2026
- On the record2023-06 to 2023-10
As presiding officer of the 2023 Paxton impeachment trial, took a $1 million contribution and $2 million loan from pro-Paxton Defend Texas Liberty PAC; after acquittal he criticized the House.
Sources: Texas Tribune, July 18, 2023, Texas Tribune, Sept. 16, 2023
- On the record2020-11-10
Offered up to $1 million in November 2020 for voter fraud reports, without evidence of mass fraud; his first payout, in October 2021, went to a Pennsylvania poll worker who reported a Republican.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Nov. 10, 2020, Dallas Morning News, as published by NBC 5 DFW, Oct. 21, 2021
- Credit2025-06-23
Publicly rebuked Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on June 23, 2025 for vetoing the THC ban he championed, after the ban drew criticism from conservative activists and commentators.
Sources: Texas Tribune, June 23, 2025, Texas Tribune, June 10, 2025
- Credit2025-11-04
Led the 2025 effort to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, a $3 billion fund voters approved as Proposition 14 in November 2025; a lawsuit later paused it.
Source: Texas Tribune, Nov. 4, 2025
- Credit2023-01-23
Reappointed Democrat John Whitmire to chair the Senate Criminal Justice Committee in January 2023, despite pressure from GOP activists and the state party chair to bar Democratic chairs.
Source: Texas Tribune, Jan. 23, 2023
- Credit2023-11-07
Voters approved Proposition 4, an $18 billion property tax cut, in November 2023 by over 80 percent; its Senate author credited joint work with Patrick.
Source: Texas Tribune, Nov. 7, 2023
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Anthony Cristo. Files campaign reports with the Texas Ethics Commission ($777 cash on hand reported). No TEC sworn complaint order names him and he is not on the delinquent filer list.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 28, 2026, Texas Ethics Commission, sworn complaint orders search
Vikki Goodwin. Campaign finance reports on file with the Texas Ethics Commission ($317,571 cash on hand June 30, 2026). No TEC sworn complaint order names her and she is not on the delinquent filer list. No PolitiFact file exists for her.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 28, 2026, Texas Ethics Commission, sworn complaint orders search
Kevin McCormick. Files campaign reports with the Texas Ethics Commission ($94 cash on hand June 30, 2026). No TEC sworn complaint order names him and he is not on the delinquent filer list.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 28, 2026, Texas Ethics Commission, sworn complaint orders search
Dan Patrick. A 2008 Texas Ethics Commission order set a $7,400 civil penalty over 2006 expenditure reporting, older than 10 years with no repeat. One false public statement, from August 2021, is documented by two outlets (see the record).
Sources: PolitiFact, Dan Patrick scorecard, PolitiFact, Dan Patrick statements rated False, PolitiFact, Dan Patrick statements rated Pants on Fire, FactCheck.org, Aug. 24, 2021
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Anthony Cristo. No public record found.
Vikki Goodwin. No public record found.
Kevin McCormick. No public record found.
Dan Patrick. In 2023 reappointed Democrat John Whitmire as a Senate committee chair despite pressure from GOP activists and the state party chair. In 2025 publicly rebuked Republican Gov. Abbott over his THC ban veto after drawing backlash from the right.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Jan. 23, 2023, Texas Tribune, June 23, 2025, Texas Tribune, June 10, 2025
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Anthony Cristo. No public record found.
Vikki Goodwin. Held a free, open-to-the-public town hall in Waco on Aug. 23, 2026, her fourth campaign visit there, and publicly challenged Patrick to three debates in Aug. 2026.
Sources: KWKT Fox 44, Aug. 23, 2026, as published by Yahoo News, Spectrum News, Aug. 17, 2026
Kevin McCormick. No public record found.
Dan Patrick. Holds press conferences around the state, including El Paso on Sept. 28, 2026. Spectrum News got no response from his campaign to Goodwin's Aug. 2026 debate challenge; no 2026 debate was found in news coverage by Oct. 5.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Anthony Cristo. No public record found.
Vikki Goodwin. Texas House member since 2019 and owner of a real estate business, with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found. The 2025 quorum-break fines were set on a party-line committee vote and are not a conduct finding (E3).
Kevin McCormick. No public record found.
Dan Patrick. Texas senator 2007 to 2015 and lieutenant governor since 2015 with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found. See the Record for contested statements and the open Rogers lawsuit.
Source: Ballotpedia, Dan Patrick
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Anthony Cristo. No public record found.
Vikki Goodwin. Sworn into the Texas House four times. No official finding of misuse of office. The Texas Supreme Court rejected the attorney general's 2025 bid to remove her and 12 other Democrats over the quorum break (Record, notable).
Sources: Texas Tribune, May 15, 2026, Texas Tribune, Aug. 8, 2025
Kevin McCormick. No public record found.
Dan Patrick. Sworn as senator and three times as lieutenant governor. No recorded vote or legal filing to reject certified results found. In Nov. 2020 offered up to $1 million for voter fraud reports without evidence of mass fraud (Record, notable).
Sources: Ballotpedia, Dan Patrick, Texas Tribune, Nov. 10, 2020
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Anthony Cristo. High school English teacher at Judson ISD's Wagner High School who wrote educational training materials for Pearson. No elected office.
Vikki Goodwin. Texas House District 47 since January 2019, four terms (86th to 89th Legislatures). Broker and owner of Goodwin & Goodwin Real Estate.
Sources: Texas Legislature Online, bills authored, 86th Legislature, Texas Legislature Online, bills authored, 89th Legislature, Ballotpedia, Vikki Goodwin
Kevin McCormick. Law clerk in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Dallas, then private law practice in Houston, later a math teacher at Jefferson High School in San Antonio. No elected office.
Dan Patrick. Lieutenant governor since January 2015, elected 2014 and re-elected 2018 and 2022. Texas Senate District 7, 2007 to 2015.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Dan Patrick, Dan Patrick campaign, About
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Anthony Cristo. Campaign site states priorities in general terms, including cutting taxes and spending and properly funding schools.
Source: Anthony Cristo campaign site
Vikki Goodwin. House committee member (Homeland Security and Public Safety, Agriculture and Livestock) with no chair post. Publishes specific plans with bill numbers, including a state-administered health insurance plan, Texas Cares.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Vikki Goodwin, Vikki Goodwin campaign, Healthcare
Kevin McCormick. Campaign site publishes issue proposals on transportation, rural investment, election code reform, property tax, health care and public education.
Dan Patrick. Presides over the Senate and co-chairs the Legislative Budget Board (E5). Publishes numbered Senate priority bills and specific plans, such as raising the school homestead exemption and lowering the senior exemption age.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 28, 2026, Dan Patrick campaign, priority bills
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Anthony Cristo. Two channels: completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and a campaign issue page.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Anthony Cristo, Anthony Cristo campaign site
Vikki Goodwin. Three channels: completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, holds public town halls, and publishes plain-language issue pages.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Vikki Goodwin, KWKT Fox 44, Aug. 23, 2026, as published by Yahoo News, Vikki Goodwin campaign, Issues
Kevin McCormick. Two channels: completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and published issue pages.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Kevin McCormick (Texas), Kevin McCormick campaign, Issues 2026
Dan Patrick. Two channels: published priority and issue pages and regular press conferences. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and did not return Community Impact's 2026 questionnaire; no 2026 debate.
Sources: Dan Patrick campaign, priority bills, KVIA, Sept. 28, 2026, Ballotpedia, Dan Patrick, Community Impact, Jan. 27, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Anthony Cristo. Graduated from Judson High School in the San Antonio area and teaches in Judson ISD; lives in Cibolo. In-state share of contributions not computed.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Anthony Cristo, Anthony Cristo campaign site
Vikki Goodwin. Raised in Dallas and moved to Austin in 1985 for the University of Texas, per her campaign; UT degrees 1989 and 1991 per Ballotpedia. Represents part of Travis County. In-state share of contributions not computed.
Sources: Vikki Goodwin campaign, About, Ballotpedia, Vikki Goodwin
Kevin McCormick. Texas resident for decades: UTSA degree 1982 and University of Houston law degree 1986; has lived in San Antonio, Houston, Tyler and Longview and now lives near Lindale. In-state share not computed.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Kevin McCormick (Texas), Kevin McCormick campaign, About
Dan Patrick. Former KHOU Houston sportscaster and talk radio host who represented part of Houston and its suburbs in the Senate from 2007; statewide officeholder since 2015. In-state share of contributions not computed from TEC data.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 28, 2026, San Antonio Report candidate profile
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Anthony Cristo. No public record found.
Vikki Goodwin. Broker and owner of Goodwin & Goodwin Real Estate. Campaign reports on file with the Ethics Commission; no TEC order or delinquency found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Vikki Goodwin, Texas Tribune, Sept. 28, 2026
Kevin McCormick. No public record found.
Dan Patrick. Has presided over the Texas Senate and co-chaired the Legislative Budget Board since 2015. Campaign reports filed with the Ethics Commission ($35.3 million cash on hand June 30, 2026). The 2008 TEC penalty is older than 10 years (E1).
Source: Texas Tribune, Sept. 28, 2026
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Anthony Cristo. No public record found.
Vikki Goodwin. State Legislative Effectiveness Score 2023 to 2024: 0.89, rank 62 of 150, Meets expectations, three bills she authored became law, including HB 59, Cati's Act. None of her 2025 regular session bills became law.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file (sles_all_50_states_202609.csv), Texas Legislature Online, HB 59 (88R) history, Texas Tribune, Sept. 28, 2026
Kevin McCormick. No public record found.
Dan Patrick. Led creation of the $3 billion Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, approved by voters Nov. 2025 (later paused by a lawsuit). Backed the $18 billion 2023 property tax cut. Achieved most of his 2025 priorities, per the Texas Tribune.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Nov. 4, 2025, Texas Tribune, Nov. 7, 2023, Texas Tribune, June 2, 2025
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Anthony Cristo. No public record found.
Vikki Goodwin. No public record found.
Kevin McCormick. No public record found.
Dan Patrick. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Anthony Cristo. No public record found.
Vikki Goodwin. No public record found.
Kevin McCormick. No public record found.
Dan Patrick. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Anthony Cristo. No public record found.
Vikki Goodwin. HB 59 (2023), which became law, had Republican Rep. Ellen Troxclair as a joint author; her 2019 HB 2650, also law, was carried in the Senate by a Republican, Paul Bettencourt.
Sources: Texas Legislature Online, HB 59 (88R) history, Ballotpedia, Ellen Troxclair, Texas Legislature Online, bills authored, 86th Legislature, Texas Tribune, Nov. 7, 2023
Kevin McCormick. No public record found.
Dan Patrick. Reappointed a Democrat as a committee chair in 2023, and the Senate passed his 2025 homestead tax-cut priority, SB 4, 30 to 0. In 2021 the Senate lowered its floor threshold, as he urged, on a party-line vote (Record).
Sources: Texas Tribune, Jan. 23, 2023, Texas Tribune, Feb. 11, 2025
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Anthony Cristo. No public record found.
Vikki Goodwin. No public record found.
Kevin McCormick. No public record found.
Dan Patrick. As Legislative Budget Board co-chair, the Legislature adopted a $338 billion 2026-27 budget in the 2025 regular session; in July 2026 he joined the governor and speaker in directing agencies to start budget requests 3% lower.
Source: Texas Tribune, July 15, 2026
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Texas lieutenant governor race?
Vikki Goodwin has the strongest record in the Texas lieutenant governor race. Vikki Goodwin scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Dan Patrick at 65, as of October 5, 2026. Vikki Goodwin's highest marks are relevant experience and accountability. Dan Patrick's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Anthony Cristo (5 of 15 criteria) and Kevin McCormick (5 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Texas lieutenant governor race in 2026?
ANTHONY CRISTO (Libertarian), VIKKI GOODWIN (Democratic), KEVIN MCCORMICK (Green), DAN PATRICK (Republican, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Anthony Cristo a good candidate for Lieutenant Governor?
Anthony Cristo has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Vikki Goodwin a good candidate for Lieutenant Governor?
Vikki Goodwin scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria: character 56 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 63 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Kevin McCormick a good candidate for Lieutenant Governor?
Kevin McCormick has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Dan Patrick a good candidate for Lieutenant Governor?
Dan Patrick scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 55 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 58 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Texas race scored, and the Texas 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.