Two Austin Democrats are hoping to change Texas politics after a record-breaking turnout in the party’s primary election.
Sarah Eckhardt will move forward to the November general election after securing a win during the primary election Tuesday night.
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, who has represented District 47 in Southwest Travis County for several years, was in a tight race for the lieutenant governor nomination. She had less than the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff against opponents Marcos Isaias Velez and Courtney Head, as of early Wednesday morning.
“There is a lot of excitement in this election cycle,” Goodwin said. “This is great for Texas. We’ve had 30 years of Republican leadership and people recognize that it is time for change.”
If Goodwin wins the nomination, she will face incumbent Dan Patrick in November.
Eckhardt, who served two terms representing State Senate District 14, received more than 60% of the primary vote for the Texas comptroller nomination. She finished well ahead of her opponents, Savant Moore and Michael Lange.
Eckhardt celebrated her early victory on Tuesday night and said she is ready to take on the GOP nominee, Don Huffines.
Huffines, a former state senator, won his primary over several rivals, including acting comptroller Kelly Hancock who took over after the previous comptroller Glen Hegar resigned in July 2025.
“This is going to be so much fun, y’all,” Eckhardt said, while addressing a crowd of supporters on Tuesday night. “We have a dynamite slate of candidates. We are going to fan out all over the state of Texas for the next 245 days in a relay race, and telling people that Texas prosperity should be for Texans and not just for the rich and powerful.”