LUBBOCK, Texas — Democratic nominee for Texas lieutenant governor and State Representative Vikki Goodwin challenged incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to participate in a series of debates during a campaign stop in Lubbock, where she also renewed calls for a special legislative session focused on data center policy and criticized state leaders over affordability issues affecting Texans.
Speaking before supporters on Saturday, Goodwin said voters deserve direct discussions on the issues shaping daily life across the state. The rally formed part of her South Plains Swing Tour through West Texas and the Panhandle, where she has been meeting with voters alongside other Democratic candidates ahead of the upcoming election.
State Sen. Nathan Johnson introduced Goodwin to the crowd, describing her as “The very first person in Texas to announce a challenge, to go after one of the most important offices in the United States of America.”
Goodwin opened her remarks by highlighting her request for a special legislative session dedicated to data center issues, saying the Texas Legislature cannot move forward on the bipartisan matter without the governor calling lawmakers back into session.
“Action is what y’all wanna see, right?” she asked the audience.
The Democratic nominee then publicly challenged Patrick to debate her in multiple locations across Texas, saying voters should have opportunities to hear both candidates discuss issues that directly affect their communities.
“I am calling on my opponent Lt. Governor Dan Patrick to have a few debates with me. Whether we debate in El Paso or Beaumont, whether we debate in Plano or Lubbock, we should be having conversations about the things that Texans care about.”
Affordability emerged as a central theme of Goodwin’s speech as she argued that rising living costs remain one of the state’s most pressing concerns. Referring to Patrick’s widely publicized appearance with a bottle of bubbles earlier this year, she contrasted the event with the financial pressures facing many Texas families.
“What about affordability? He was on the stage recently with a bottle of bubbles, talking about the good bubbles and bad bubbles. This man lives in a bubble and has no idea what the everyday Texan is experiencing,” she declared. “Higher prices when you go to the grocery store, higher prices when you go to the gas station. High prices for child care, for healthcare. It’s unsustainable, but he’s not talking about affordability because he’s just fine.”
Following the rally, Goodwin participated in an anti-data center event organized by community organization Save Lubbock. During the gathering, she addressed attendees after Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and Democratic nominee for Agriculture Commissioner Clayton Tucker, focusing on transparency surrounding large-scale data center projects and advocating an end to the state’s data center sales tax incentive program.
She also reiterated the need for a data center-focused special legislative session and encouraged Lubbock residents to contact the governor’s office in support of her request.
The Lubbock stop marked the second event on Goodwin’s campaign tour through West Texas and the Panhandle. Her itinerary includes additional public appearances in Plainview, Big Spring and Abilene before returning to Central Texas for further campaign events and fundraising activities.
The tour brings together several Democratic candidates seeking statewide and local offices, including State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, Democratic nominee for comptroller; State Rep. Jon Rosenthal, Democratic nominee for railroad commissioner; congressional candidate Kyle Rable; Agriculture Commissioner candidate Clayton Tucker; Court of Criminal Appeals candidate Holly Taylor; State Senate candidate Riley Rodriquez; House District 83 candidate Malik Williams; House District 72 candidate Shiloh Salazar; and House District 71 candidate Diana Luna.
According to campaign organizers, the South Plains Swing Tour is intended to connect Democratic candidates with voters across the region through town halls and public speaking events. Organizers also noted that the participation of judges or judicial candidates at tour events does not constitute an endorsement of any other candidate appearing on the program.
