2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

Candidate Bio

I am a second generation Mexican American originally from San Antonio. Being the third of six children, I learned the value of compromise during conflict. I currently teach high school English and Communication Applications in San Antonio. I’ve also taught Debate, and Creative Writing at the high school level. I graduated magna cum laude with my bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio ’02.

Anthony “Tony” Douglas Cristo

Anthony Cristo is originally from San Antonio. He earned a bachelor's degree in communication arts from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Anthony "Tony" Douglas Cristo - Libertarian Party

Anthony currently teaches high school English and Communication Applications. He has also taught high school debate and creative writing.

2018 General Election

11/6/2018

U. S. Representative District 15 -

...  | Tim Westley  | Vicente Gonzalez  | Anthony Cristo  | ...  | ...  | ...

elections.sos.state.tx.us (2018 General Election, U. S. Representative District 15 - 11/6/2018)

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 34

[Image: Candidate] | Republican | 84,119 | 41.84% | Reynaldo "Rey" Gonzalez, Jr.

[Image: Candidate] | Libertarian | 3,222 | 1.60% | Anthony Cristo
• FEC H8TX15069

[Image: Candidate] | Independent | 2,247 | 1.12% | Chris B. Royal

Texas 2020 General Election

Anthony ran for U.S. Representative in District 15 in 2018 and was a Libertarian candidate for U.S. Representative in District 34 in 2020.

I’m skeptical of plans that promise lower property taxes without real spending cuts. Too often, those schemes just shift the burden to sales taxes or onto someone else. That’s not relief—that’s a shell game.

If we want real tax relief, we have to shrink government. That means setting priorities, cutting waste, and letting Texans keep more of what they earn. There currently is a budget surplus, but that shows how we are being taxed more than we need to be.

Anthony Cristo for Lt. Governor - TX

Embrace Free Markets, Diversity, and Immigrants

Free markets work for everyone. Most immigrants come to Texas to work and build a better life—and when government gets out of the way, the number of jobs grows right along with the number of people willing to work. Opportunity isn’t fixed. It expands when we let it.

Advocates for reducing government spending and waste to provide tax relief.

Advocates for free markets and reducing government intervention to expand job opportunities.

- Advocates for reducing government spending and waste to provide tax relief.
- Advocates for free markets and reducing government intervention to expand job opportunities.

Economy

As of September 11, 2026, Anthony Cristo’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Energy & the Environment

It’s time to legalize marijuana in Texas. Most Americans support it, and even in Texas, Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians all agree it should at least be decriminalized. State after state has moved forward—legalizing, decriminalizing, or allowing medical use—while Texas falls behind.

Meanwhile, people are still being arrested, saddled with criminal records, and burdened for life over something safer than alcohol.

The war on drugs has failed. It wastes taxpayer money, fuels black markets and violence, and punishes people for personal choices. If we care about freedom, public safety, and responsible government, it’s time to end prohibition and move toward a more sensible, humane approach.

- Supports legalizing marijuana in Texas.

Public Safety

As a Libertarian, I oppose taxpayer-funded welfare, but I strongly support people who come here ready to work, contribute, and succeed. Too often, politicians tax us to death and then try to shift the blame onto immigrants—many of whom can’t even vote. That’s not leadership. That’s deflection.

Supports immigrants who come to work and contribute, while opposing taxpayer-funded welfare.

- Supports immigrants who come to work and contribute, while opposing taxpayer-funded welfare.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

If we want real tax relief, we have to shrink government. That means setting priorities, cutting waste, and letting Texans keep more of what they earn. There currently is a budget surplus, but that shows how we are being taxed more than we need to be. It also means school districts can be properly funded without increasing taxes of any kind.

Said school districts can be properly funded without tax increases.

- Said school districts can be properly funded without tax increases.

Education

Voting & Elections

Facebook

Anthony Cristo

Alejandra Gracias

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Dan Patrick - Ballotpedia

Lt. Governor - The Texas State Senate

Dan Patrick is originally from Maryland. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of Maryland. Patrick lives with his wife, Jan, and they have two children and eight grandchildren.

Dan currently works as the lieutenant governor of Texas and serves as the president of the Texas State Senate. He previously worked as a conservative talk radio host, television anchor, radio station owner, and founder of Talk Radio KSEV in the Houston/Galveston area, and he also founded the Lone Star Times. Patrick also operated a sports bar chain before transitioning into media.

Dan currently serves as the lieutenant governor of Texas. He was first elected in 2014 and is serving his third term. Patrick previously served as a Texas state senator for District 7. He served two terms from 2007 to 2015.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick formally launches 2026 re-election campaign

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Home

As state senator, cut the franchise tax by 25%.

Supports lowering property taxes as a central economic policy.

Supported a $100,000 homestead exemption for property taxes.

Presents the $100,000 homestead exemption as a nonnegotiable part of tax relief.

As lieutenant governor, delivered an $18 billion property tax cut.

Supports reducing business taxes and regulatory burdens to promote economic growth.

As a state senator, supported the $100,000 homestead exemption as part of the $18 billion property tax cut.

Supports legislative priorities focused on economic expansion.

- Supports lowering property taxes as a central economic policy.
- Presents the $100,000 homestead exemption as a nonnegotiable part of tax relief.
- Supports reducing business taxes and regulatory burdens to promote economic growth.
- Supports legislative priorities focused on economic expansion.

Dan Patrick - Wikipedia

Opposes abortion and has supported legislation restricting access.

Opposes pathways toward recreational marijuana legalization.

- Opposes abortion and has supported legislation restricting access.
- Opposes pathways toward recreational marijuana legalization.

Wants to "strengthen our grid by adding additional reliable dispatchable power."

Supports oil and gas production and policies protecting the industry.

Supports strengthening the electric grid through additional reliable power.

- Supports oil and gas production and policies protecting the industry.
- Supports strengthening the electric grid through additional reliable power.

Dan Patrick secures third term as Texas lieutenant governor

Supports increased law enforcement resources and public safety funding.

Supports stronger criminal penalties for firearm-related crimes while backing gun rights.

Believes violent video games are a contributing factor to mass shootings.

- Supports increased law enforcement resources and public safety funding.
- Supports stronger criminal penalties for firearm-related crimes while backing gun rights.
- Believes violent video games are a contributing factor to mass shootings.

Supports expanded border security measures and enforcement funding.

- Supports expanded border security measures and enforcement funding.
- Supports military members and veterans.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick plans to run for reelection

Supports providing a high-quality education for all.

Supports school choice, including using state dollars for nontraditional schooling, while arguing rural schools can be protected.

Supports school voucher programs, which allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

Supports legislation to end the teaching of critical race theory and abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in universities.

Supports raising teacher pay and providing additional payments to retired teachers.

Wants to reform tenure practices in higher education.

- Supports school choice, including using state dollars for nontraditional schooling, while arguing rural schools can be protected.
- Supports legislation to end the teaching of critical race theory and abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in universities.
- Supports raising teacher pay and providing additional payments to retired teachers.
- Wants to reform tenure practices in higher education.

Criticized the impeachment process used against Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Previously expressed support for term-limit principles but later indicated plans to seek reelection.

- Criticized the impeachment process used against Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- Previously expressed support for term-limit principles but later indicated plans to seek reelection.

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Dan Patrick

Kevin McCormick
Presently retired; I have wide experience including working as an attorney and teaching high school.
Website: https://www.kmm2026.org/

Q&A: Meet the 4 candidates running for lieutenant governor of Texas

Kevin McCormick is retired. He previously worked as an attorney and taught high school.

What would your top priorities be if elected?
Greatly improve public transportation in Texas cities. Rural investment for family farm greenhouses and a system for selling local produce in grocery stores. Reform of the Election Code to have ranked-choice voting, a statewide primary for four parties plus independents and rules to significantly limit gerrymandering.

What will you do to support workforce development, small businesses and economic growth?
The need for workforce development is the result of the establishment parties' neglect of public education and poor education policies. Property taxes are too high and should be based on economic value instead of speculative value. We will strengthen our economy by making Texas a better place to live.

Proposes rural investment in family-farm greenhouses and systems for selling local produce in grocery stores.

Supports assessing property taxes based on economic rather than speculative value.

- Proposes rural investment in family-farm greenhouses and systems for selling local produce in grocery stores.
- Supports assessing property taxes based on economic rather than speculative value.

What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Besides the three priorities for Question 1, I would emphasize water resources and modernization of water policy; development of an effective policy of public health and preventive primary healthcare; development of environmentally-sound agriculture; and development of renewable energy and electrification of transportation.

Prioritizes effective public health policy and preventive primary healthcare.

- Prioritizes effective public health policy and preventive primary healthcare.

How will you balance the development of data centers and other large projects with constituent concerns about rapid growth?
I believe the data center boom is part of the Wall Street AI speculative bubble. I am opposed to any tax reductions, electricity priorities or water transfers for data centers. At this point, I suspect many planned data centers will not be built.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next 5 years?
The greatest challenge is our response to climate change. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% and double organic matter in soils. We must develop a sustainable economy that is not based on Wall Street bubbles and provides meaningful and well-paying jobs. See https://kmm2026.org for more information.

Opposes tax reductions, electricity priorities, and water transfers for data centers.

Plans to greatly improve public transportation in Texas cities.

Prioritizes water resources and modernization of water policy.

Advocates environmentally sound agriculture.

Advocates renewable energy and electrification of transportation.

Calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% and doubling organic matter in soils.

- Opposes tax reductions, electricity priorities, and water transfers for data centers.
- Plans to greatly improve public transportation in Texas cities.
- Prioritizes water resources and modernization of water policy.
- Advocates environmentally sound agriculture.
- Advocates renewable energy and electrification of transportation.
- Calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% and doubling organic matter in soils.

As of September 11, 2026, Kevin Mccormick’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Proposes ranked-choice voting, a statewide primary for four parties and independents, and rules to significantly limit gerrymandering through Election Code reform.

- Proposes ranked-choice voting, a statewide primary for four parties and independents, and rules to significantly limit gerrymandering through Election Code reform.

Kevin Mccormick

Texas lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026 (March 3 Democratic ...

Vikki Goodwin is originally from Dallas. She earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and government and a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives with her family in southwest Austin.

Vikki currently works as the owner of a residential real estate company. She previously worked as a systems analyst for the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.

Vikki currently serves as the representative for Texas House of Representatives District 47. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her fourth term.

Supports raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour and increasing the wage for tipped workers.

Supports small businesses and plans to implement reforms to help them compete with large corporations and address rising costs and insurance premiums.

Supports using the state's surplus for initiatives like the Fair Rent Incentive Act while prioritizing teacher pay increases, childcare center tax exemptions, and infrastructure investments.

Supports allowing Texans to vote on legalizing gambling in the state, believing it would generate revenue, create jobs, and boost tourism if properly regulated.

Supports allowing Texans to vote on legalizing gambling, believing it would generate revenue, create jobs, and boost tourism.

Supports regulating THC to ensure public safety through age restrictions, testing standards, and proper labeling requirements.

Supports legalizing and regulating cannabis to ensure public safety through age restrictions, testing standards, and proper labeling requirements.

Said "I remain committed to meaningful property tax reform for Texas families."

- Supports raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour and increasing the wage for tipped workers.
- Supports small businesses and plans to implement reforms to help them compete with large corporations and address rising costs and insurance premiums.
- Supports using the state's surplus for initiatives like the Fair Rent Incentive Act while prioritizing teacher pay increases, childcare center tax exemptions, and infrastructure investments.
- Supports allowing Texans to vote on legalizing gambling, believing it would generate revenue, create jobs, and boost tourism.
- Supports legalizing and regulating cannabis to ensure public safety through age restrictions, testing standards, and proper labeling requirements.
- Said "I remain committed to meaningful property tax reform for Texas families."

Supports abortion and wants to "restore" access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare for all Texans.

Supports expanding Medicaid to reduce the high uninsured rate in Texas, ensure vulnerable populations receive care, and attract federal funding to the state.

Supports expanding Medicaid to reduce the high uninsured rates, ensure everyone receives care, and attract federal funding.

Supports extending postpartum Medicaid coverage, addressing provider shortages in rural areas, and reducing high maternal mortality rates, especially among Black women.

Supports extending postpartum Medicaid coverage, addressing provider shortages in rural areas, and reducing high maternal mortality rates.

Supports expanding mental health resources for Texans with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Supports expanding mental health resources for Texans with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Opposes Medicaid cuts for children with special healthcare needs.

- Supports access to abortion.
- Supports expanding Medicaid to reduce the high uninsured rates, ensure everyone receives care, and attract federal funding.
- Supports extending postpartum Medicaid coverage, addressing provider shortages in rural areas, and reducing high maternal mortality rates.
- Supports expanding mental health resources for Texans with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Opposes Medicaid cuts for children with special healthcare needs.

Supports sustainable land management in Texas to minimize wildfire risks.

Supports strategies to address extreme weather and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, acknowledging their role in increasing wildfire danger in Texas.

Supports strategies to address extreme weather and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Believes access to water should be a priority for all Texans and supports improving water infrastructure through conservation and re-use policies.

- Supports sustainable land management in Texas to minimize wildfire risks.
- Supports strategies to address extreme weather and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Believes access to water should be a priority for all Texans and supports improving water infrastructure through conservation and re-use policies.

Supports gun control, "like stronger background checks, proper training requirements, and tools to investigate straw purchases without infringing on constitutional rights."

As a state representative, introduced "the Natalia Cox Act of 2023, which provides critical resources to domestic violence victims."

As a state representative, introduced House Bill 4863 to increase "mental health resources for first responders."

- Supports gun control, "like stronger background checks, proper training requirements, and tools to investigate straw purchases without infringing on constitutional rights."
- As a state representative, introduced "the Natalia Cox Act of 2023, which provides critical resources to domestic violence victims."
- As a state representative, introduced House Bill 4863 to increase "mental health resources for first responders."

Supports comprehensive immigration reform, including doubling visa caps and creating safe processing facilities in home countries.

- Supports comprehensive immigration reform, including doubling visa caps and creating safe processing facilities in home countries.

Believes low pay, excessive paperwork, constant testing, and safety concerns are causing many teachers to leave the profession and too few college students to choose teaching.

Believes low pay, excessive paperwork, constant testing, and safety concerns are causing a shortage of teachers.

Supports better pay for educators and support staff.

Supports reducing standardized testing in Texas schools.

Opposes school voucher programs, which are programs that allow families to use public school funds to access schools beyond their local option, including private schools.

Supports increasing school funding to avoid financial struggles for districts.

Supports expanding Pre-K eligibility to include children of all public school employees.

As a state representative, introduced legislation (House Bill 4598) to fund childcare programs through employer contributions.

Passed legislation "establishing the Texas Food System Security and Resiliency Planning Council," to increase access to fresh food.

- Believes low pay, excessive paperwork, constant testing, and safety concerns are causing a shortage of teachers.
- Supports better pay for educators and support staff.
- Supports reducing standardized testing in Texas schools.
- Opposes school voucher programs, which are programs that allow families to use public school funds to access schools beyond their local option, including private schools.
- Supports increasing school funding to avoid financial struggles for districts.
- Supports expanding Pre-K eligibility to include children of all public school employees.
- As a state representative, introduced legislation (House Bill 4598) to fund childcare programs through employer contributions.
- Passed legislation "establishing the Texas Food System Security and Resiliency Planning Council," to increase access to fresh food.

Supports the Empowering Texans Ballot Initiative Act (HJR 198), which would allow citizens to propose statewide ballot initiatives through a signature collection process.

Supports the Empowering Texans Ballot Initiative Act (House Joint Resolution 198), which would allow citizens to propose statewide ballot initiatives through a signature collection process.

Supports ranked choice voting, especially in city and school board elections, as a means to save money and increase voter impact on election outcomes.

Supports ranked choice voting, method where voters rank candidates in order of their preference, as a means to save money and increase voter impact on election outcomes.

- Supports the Empowering Texans Ballot Initiative Act (House Joint Resolution 198), which would allow citizens to propose statewide ballot initiatives through a signature collection process.
- Supports online voter registration.
- Supports ranked choice voting, method where voters rank candidates in order of their preference, as a means to save money and increase voter impact on election outcomes.

Vikki Goodwin

- The lieutenant governor is elected statewide by voters and is the second-highest elected official in Texas.
- They run the Texas Senate, deciding which bills are considered and who serves on Senate committees. This gives them major influence over state laws.
- They can cast a deciding vote in the Senate if there is a tie.
- The lieutenant governor helps shape the state budget and policy priorities by serving on key budget and oversight boards.
- If the governor is out of state, temporarily unable to serve, or leaves office, the lieutenant governor takes over the governor’s duties. If the governor leaves office permanently, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.
- The lieutenant governor serves a four-year term and can run again with no term limits.
- The position pays the same base salary as a Texas state legislator (about $7,200 a year), plus additional daily pay during legislative sessions.

Texas Lieutenant Governor

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