Vikki Goodwin

Vikki Goodwin was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in marketing and government from the University of Texas at Austin in May 1989 and a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Texas in May 1991. Goodwin's career experience includes working as the broker and owner of Goodwin & Goodwin Real Estate Inc. and as a systems analyst for the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. She has served as a member of the Austin Board of Realtors, Rotary Club, Austin SW, and the Metropolitan Breakfast Club.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Vikki Goodwin is a Texas State Representative in her 4th term representing Austin and Lake Travis. She is a small business owner, a wife and mom and is involved in the community. Back when she was attending the University of Texas at Austin, she worked for the Texas Legislature and decided in addition to earning a bachelor's degree in business administration, she would minor in government. She graduated in May 1989 and went on to earn a master's degree in public affairs from the LBJ School at UT in May 1991.

Goodwin's career experience includes working as the broker and owner of Goodwin & Goodwin Real Estate Inc. and as a systems analyst for the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. She has served as a board member of the Austin Board of Realtors and her neighborhood HOA. She has been involved with Rotary Club Austin SW, South Austin Civic Club and the Metropolitan Breakfast Club.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Texas has a great economy built upon a well-educated workforce. To maintain the momentum and prosperity, our public schools require investment and support. Teachers deserve to be well paid and class sizes should be small enough so teachers can give students the attention they deserve. As Lt Governor, my priority will be to put an end to private school vouchers or any program that diverts public dollars to private schools. I will ensure our schools maintain religious freedom, and freedom of speech is protected.Health care should be affordable and accessible. Women should have the right to make their own personal, private healthcare decisions. We must address the issue of skyrocketing health insurance costs, unaffordable prescriptions, surprise billing, and bankruptcy due to medical emergencies. Mental healthcare needs must be addressed as well. Also, too many people are dying as a result of gun violence, whether homicide or suicide, and we must address the prevalence of gun injuries and deaths. Common sense initiatives include strengthening background checks, implementing extreme risk protective orders that involve due process, and mandatory training and safe storage laws.We must work toward affordability, good job opportunities and living wages. The American Dream of owning a home should be within reach of hardworking individuals and families. It all starts with a solid public education system giving our young people the critical thinking skills needed for the jobs of today. Texas has not adjusted the minimum wage in decades, and it still remains at an abysmally low $7.25/hour. We should increase it to $15/hour as the minimum. Job opportunities are created when everyone is part of a successful economy. Leaders should focus on ways to increase job opportunities, not ways to penalize people for culture war issues that divide us.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

* Education - Strengthening and improving our public education system.

Healthcare - Expanding access to healthcare and lowering the cost while improving outcomes.

Water - Ensuring we are planning for the needs of the future.

Housing - Increasing supply and addressing the issue of housing affordability.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I am a huge fan of former Governor Ann Richards. She was an incredible leader. She also believed in a strong public education system as a foundation for a successful society. She solved problems in a practical manner and worked collaboratively. She was sharp and had a quick wit. I aspire to be a leader like Ann Richards.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

* Leaders must work collaboratively and cooperatively with all levels of government regardless of party affiliation.

Leaders must be willing to listen to various viewpoints, and at times compromise.

Leaders must be present in the community, ensuring all voices are heard.

Leaders must operate with transparency and accountability.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The Lt Governor runs the Senate. The Lt Governor should set an agenda, while considering the views of each of the Senators and incorporating priorities of citizens from around the state.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is "The Opposite of Hate" by Sally Kohn. It looks at the divided world we live in and suggests we find ways to come together and set aside the division.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe it is important for the Lt Governor to have experience in the Legislature.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

I believe a state ballot initiative process would be good for Texas, and have filed bills to allow for a statewide ballot initiative and referendum process. When the private school voucher bill passed, we tried to put it up to a vote to ensure this is really what Texans want. A ballot initiative process would allow for this type of vetting process without needing 2/3 of the Legislature to approve first.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

I remember speaking with a teacher who told me about one of her students who would not sit with his back to the door. He wanted to be able to see the door in case a shooter came into the room. She was sad to live in a time when this is a very real possibility.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I'm proud of having raised my children to be thoughtful and accomplished adults.

Campaign websiteGoodwin's campaign website stated the following:Cannabis/THC RegulationI believe Texas needs a sensible regulatory framework for THC rather than outright prohibition. I opposed the ban because regulation can prioritize public safety through age restrictions, testing standards, and proper labeling requirements. We must keep these products away from schools and youth-oriented spaces while ensuring consumer protection. A regulated market is far preferable to the current situation where Texans lack quality assurance and safety oversight.Child Welfare and SafetyDrowning remains the leading cause of death for young children—yet it's entirely preventable. After a Texas family lost their daughter Cati in a tragic drowning accident, Vikki worked directly with them to develop life-saving legislation that now protects children across the state.Vikki’s accomplishment:Cati’s Act: Vikki successfully passed this law in June 2023, requiring child care providers to ensure children who can't swim wear life jackets at pools when parents have indicated their child needs protection.ChildcareTexas families are struggling with a childcare crisis that's keeping parents out of the workforce while centers close and costs soar. Vikki is tackling this crisis head-on with practical solutions that work for Texas families. She's fighting for sustainable funding streams for childcare, ensuring living wages for essential workers caring for our children, and removing barriers for providers.Creating New Revenue Sources (HB 4598): Vikki is championing legislation that establishes a modest employer contribution to fund childcare programs, creating a sustainable solution to address center closures and reduce waitlists.Expanding Access (HB 494): Vikki is working to expand Pre-K eligibility to include children of all public school employees, supporting our education workforce and creating pathways to affordable care.Daylight Savings vs. Standard TimeSwitching our clocks twice a year is a pain. Countless polls show that the vast majority of Texans support ditching this anachronistic policy. The difficulty is choosing which time standard to settle on. Vikki’s approach is to allow voters to have their say and select either Daylight Savings Time or Standard Time year-round.Economic Opportunity & Fiscal ResponsibilityAs a small business owner herself, Vikki brings practical experience to Texas's economic challenges. She believes in an economy that works for everyone—from wage earners to entrepreneurs—while managing state resources responsibly. Despite having the nation's second-largest economy, Texas maintains a $7.25 minimum wage while facing critical decisions about budget priorities that will shape our future.Living Wages: Vikki champions increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour and increasing the tipped-worker wage, recognizing that when working Texans thrive, our entire economy benefits.Small Business Support: Vikki is developing targeted reforms to help small businesses compete against large corporations while addressing the disproportionate impact of rising costs and insurance premiums.Strategic Investments: Vikki supports wise use of the state's surplus through initiatives like the Fair Rent Incentive Act while prioritizing teacher pay increases, childcare center tax exemptions, and infrastructure investments that create opportunities for all Texans.Elections and Citizen-Led Ballot InitiativesWhile half the states in America empower their citizens with direct democracy through initiative processes, Texans don't have this powerful tool. Vikki believes decisions are too often made without adequate input from those affected, limiting our ability to participate in the legislative process that shapes our lives. Vikki is fighting for an electoral system that truly serves Texans by expanding voting options and modernizing registration.Empowering Texans Ballot Initiative Act (HJR 198): Vikki is championing this legislation to give Texans a direct voice in government, allowing citizens to propose statewide ballot initiatives by gathering signatures from registered voters.Online Voter Registration: Vikki is pushing Texas to join the majority of states with online registration and successfully implement secure online systems.Ranked Choice Voting: Allowing ranked choice voting - particularly in city and school board elections - would save money and result in a greater number of voters impacting the results of an election.Food SecurityVikki successfully passed legislation establishing the Texas Food System Security and Resiliency Planning Council. This groundbreaking initiative addresses critical vulnerabilities in the state's food supply chain, bringing together farmers, food banks, and experts to tackle food deserts that leave too many Texas communities without access to fresh, affordable food.Strengthening Food Systems: The Council will develop comprehensive strategies to improve food security and resilience across Texas communities.Gambling/CasinosI am in favor of letting the people of Texas vote on whether or not to legalize gambling in Texas. Right now people leave, and take their dollars with them, to go to nearby states where they can gamble, which means Texas is losing out on potential revenue and economic activity. This represents a significant economic opportunity that could benefit our state through job creation, tourism, and tax revenue if properly regulated. I think we should let the people of Texas have a say in this decision through the democratic process, as they are the ones who should ultimately determine what's best for our state's future.Gun Ownership/Responsibility/SafetyMy position on gun rights balances Second Amendment protections with public safety measures, fully supporting responsible gun ownership for hunting, sport, and protection. However, we must address that guns are the leading cause of death among youth 18 and under in Texas. I believe we can implement common sense safety measures like stronger background checks, proper training requirements, and tools to investigate straw purchases without infringing on constitutional rights. My goal is working across party lines on practical solutions that protect both our communities and our freedoms, because gun ownership must come with responsibility.Immigration and Border SecurityI strongly support comprehensive immigration reform that addresses both border security and economic realities. Our outdated federal immigration system, unchanged for nearly four decades, has created chaos that directly impacts Texas communities and leaves millions of jobs unfilled across our state. I back the bipartisan Dignity Act because it offers practical solutions like doubling visa caps, allowing family applications, and creating safe processing facilities in home countries to dismantle dangerous cartel networks. Until Congress acts on meaningful reform, Texas will continue facing the consequences of a broken system that serves no one well.Item descriptionLGBTQ/Trans IssuesI believe people should have the freedom to love who they love and be who they are without fear of harm, and I support the rights of all Texans equally regardless of their background or identity. There is no place for hate when it comes to people who are different from me, and I firmly believe that the government should protect the fundamental rights and dignity of every citizen. While I am a straight white woman, I recognize the world is made up of an array of diversity, and effective leadership means standing up for constitutional principles that apply to everyone. As long as people are willing to be productive members of society and follow the law, it is not my business or the government's business who they love or how they choose to live their private lives.Property TaxesI remain committed to meaningful property tax reform for Texas families. We've increased the homestead exemption to $140,000 and $200,000 for seniors while capping local tax increases and providing school tax compression. The root cause of rising property taxes is the state shifting costs for education, healthcare, and transportation to local governments while maintaining a substantial Rainy Day Fund. We must fundamentally change this by having the state take greater responsibility for funding these essential services to prevent Texans from being taxed out of their homes.Public SafetyVikki is committed to protecting our communities through evidence-based policies while addressing the root causes of violence. Building on her successful passage of the Natalia Cox Act of 2023, which provides critical resources to domestic violence victims, Vikki continues to advance comprehensive safety solutions.Mental Health Support (HB 4863): Vikki is pushing for greater mental health resources for first responders.Survivor Protection (HB 2748): Vikki is working to expand the Natalia Cox Act by removing barriers for survivors seeking protection.Wildfire Safety and Climate ActionTexas faces significant – yet diverse - climate challenges across the state. Some regions face the highest wildfire risk zones in the nation stemming from persistent drought. Other parts are challenged with frequent flooding events. Vikki believes in taking bold action to protect all Texas communities through a comprehensive approach that balances environmental protection with economic growth while securing our water future.Environmental Stewardship: Vikki promotes responsible governance that ensures Texas lands are managed sustainably to reduce wildfire risks.Climate Resilience: Vikki supports comprehensive strategies to address extreme weather impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, recognizing their contribution to increasing wildfire danger across Texas.— Vikki Goodwin's campaign website (January 16, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Vikki Goodwin is serving her second term as state representative in Austin. She is one of the fifty-seven Texas Democrats who broke quorum to protect the freedom to vote. Vikki is passionate about investing in public education, expanding access to affordable health care, protecting the environment, making communities safer through sensible gun safety legislation, and offering opportunities for success through a living wage. Vikki and her husband raised their kids in Austin, and now run a small business, Goodwin & Goodwin Real Estate.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Providing an excellent education for all children is foundational. Our schools prepare our youth for a successful future, being productive in their communities and solving the issues of the day.It is imperative we address climate change now. Texas experienced an unprecedented storm in Feb. 2021 and was unprepared for it. Resiliency demands we maintain a diverse power grid, and protecting the environment means we must stop allowing venting and flaring of gas. Building infrastructure can and must be done in a way that minimally impacts humans.Texans deserve access to affordable healthcare, and we should expand Medicaid as one step toward increasing coverage. State leaders have shown poor leadership when it comes to COVID precautions, banning mask and vaccine mandates which could have saved lives. We need to build up our local public health agencies and allow them to provide guidance in health emergencies.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about public education, the environment and health care as shown by my key messages above. Government's role is to provide services that can't be provided effectively by individuals. Through education, we raise the standard of living for all. By being good stewards of the earth, we can preserve it for future generations. By providing basic health care, we ensure a higher quality of living.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to Mother Theresa and people who serve others with grace and without asking for anything in return.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official is in office to serve the people in the district. The official should listen to constituents and base policy decisions on what they believe, based on conversations and correspondence, to be in the best interest of the majority of the people. Besides being a good listener, an elected official must take charge and provide direction based on data, expert advice and experience. A good leader will surround herself with people who are knowledgeable and experienced.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have a great deal of compassion and energy. I believe in the Golden Rule and treating others as I want to be treated. I have a strong work ethic and a great deal of patience.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Ann Richards, a Texas icon, became Governor in 1991. I was 22 at the time, finishing up graduate school. I was raised in a Republican household, but during college determined I was a Democrat, and was a big fan of Gov. Richards.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Upon graduating from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, my first job was working for Andersen Consulting as a Systems Analyst developing the Child Support Enforcement System for the Office of the Attorney General. I worked there for two years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Small Great Things is a book about a black nurse who is accused of killing an infant and is defended in court by a white attorney. The book delves into racial issues in a realistic manner and is thought provoking.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

I believe the state's greatest challenge is taking the steps necessary to address climate change, which will have a multitude of impacts, from flooding to drought and more storms of increasing intensity. Because Texas is one of the largest producers of oil and gas, it is struggling with the need to transition to cleaner energy sources. We rely heavily on oil and gas taxes, and must deal with the need to find different ways to support our infrastructure, education and health care.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It is essential to build relationships with other legislators in order to pass laws. Ultimately, we all want the same thing, to lead a happy, healthy live and to raise our children to lead happy, healthy lives. We just have different ways of arriving at this goal, and we have to speak to one another to understand why we have different methods to reach the same goals. Understanding comes from communication, and communicating with one another leads to stronger relationships.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I favor an Independent Redistricting Commission, and filed a bill to establish such a Commission. The bill was given a hearing, but was not given a vote to get out of Committee. Legislators should not be in charge of drawing the boundaries of Congressional and Legislative districts.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is necessary for policymaking. There are multiple interests and stakeholders in any policy, and often there are consequences that aren't obvious initially. Concessions can often diminish the unintended consequences, and may simply be a result of not fully understanding all angles of a problem. Progress relies on compromise in most situations.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Vikki Goodwin currently represents Texas House District 47 in western and far south Travis County. During her first session, she was successful in passing a number of bills that serve her district and state. She was a co-author of landmark school finance reform (HB 3), as well as the law boosting retired teacher pay (SB 12). In addition, she authored and sponsored five bills directly affecting HD47 that became law. In the upcoming session, Vikki will continue to advocate for the people of her district, the environment, a strong economy, and a sound budget.

During the interim, Rep. Goodwin has held several Town Halls to encourage citizen input. Her Town Halls have focused on transportation and public transit, public education, and the environment. She has also visited the border to delve into the issue of immigration, and has visited non-profits working with the local homeless population.

Representative Goodwin is a small business owner, a real estate broker, a community leader and a mom. After graduating from the University of Texas with a BBA-and the LBJ School of Public Affairs with a master's degree-Vikki remained in Austin and raised her children.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am accountable to my constituents. I have been named the "Best Communicator" among the new Representatives because I've spent so much time out in my district meeting with constituents.I am interested in solutions which will improve my district as well as the state. Whether it's transportation, education, health care or the environment, I want to work collaboratively to get things done.Texas has a strong and vibrant economy, and we need to ensure all people are included in the prosperity of the state.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1) I am most passionate about public education and ensuring our teachers are well compensated, respected and given the flexibility they need to meet the individual needs of all their students. A strong education system will allow us to address all the other issues listed below.

2) Protecting our environment is critical. We need to address climate change now, working towards a carbon neutral world with clean air and water.

3) Health care, including mental health care, must be affordable and accessible for all.

4) Transportation is a number one issue as traffic is something people deal with on a daily basis.

5) Gun safety and safety overall is important to me, too.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to Mother Theresa, a woman who devoted her life to serving the poor.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The characteristics of an elected official should be: honesty and integrity, accessibility to constituents, reliability to show up for meetings and votes, willingness to hear all sides of an argument, and sound judgement to make the right decisions.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am organized, thoughtful, detail-oriented and hard working. I am also skilled at negotiating.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Perfect by Ed Shereen

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

The most important difference between the Senate and House is that in the House, we select our leader, the Speaker, rather than having voters select the leader in the Senate, the Lt. Governor. The Speaker sets the agenda for the House as the Lt. Governor sets the agenda for the Senate, so they are powerful roles.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I think it is more beneficial to have Representatives from a variety of backgrounds. For example, when we have bills dealing with health care, it is helpful to have doctors and nurses as Representatives who have extensive knowledge of how new legislation might affect their industry. It is important to have people who have experience teaching, running businesses, working in government, etc. Variety of experience and perspective leads to better legislation.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

In order to maintain the strong economy in Texas, we will need to ensure we have a strong public education system that is well funded, a strong health care system that doesn't bankrupt people who become ill, a strong transportation system that includes public transit, and a strong environmental oversight agency that ensures we have clean air, clean water and are addressing climate change.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The Governor should work with the Lt. Governor and the Speaker to set the agenda for the legislature.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, it is necessary to build relationships with other legislators in order to get laws passed. I have been able to work with other Representatives and Senators on my bills, and will continue to do so.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

I am on the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee and the Urban Affairs Committee. I am interested in gun safety legislation and ensuring all gun buyers go through a background check prior to purchase. I am also interested in ensuring the state's forensic labs are processing evidence in a timely manner and the Department of Emergency Management is prepared to handle natural disasters effectively. These are things the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee deals with. I like being on the Urban Affairs Committee to ensure local control is not eroded.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

When the time is right, I will be happy to fill a leadership role as the Chair of a House Committee or a Caucus.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after