Vikki Goodwin: Texas Rep & Lt. Gov Candidate

Texas leaders often celebrate the “Texas miracle.” But what does that promise mean for families struggling with housing costs, teachers seeking better support, or communities facing large data center developments? State Rep. Vikki Goodwin joins Marc Istook to discuss her campaign against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the choices she believes will shape Texas’ future. A Dallas native serving her fourth term in the Texas House, Goodwin brings experience in education funding and residential real estate to a conversation about growth, affordability and government priorities. Recorded October 23, 2026, this conversation covers: 01:15 — Voter enthusiasm and Texas’ political identity Goodwin discusses election-season enthusiasm, the challenge of reaching people who rarely vote, and why she questions the perception of Texas as a uniformly Republican state. 04:29 — Who benefits from the “Texas miracle”? What does a welcoming business climate deliver for the people already living and working here? Goodwin argues that economic growth should also be judged by workers’ pay and families’ quality of life. 05:34 — Property taxes and the state’s responsibility Goodwin explains her argument that shifting costs from the state to local governments puts more pressure on property taxpayers, including through public-school funding. 07:21 — Fear-based campaigning versus everyday concerns The conversation turns to political advertising and whether campaigns are addressing the issues voters raise most often: groceries, schools, healthcare and affordability. 08:16 — A report card on Texas public education Marc asks Goodwin to grade Gov. Greg Abbott and Education Commissioner Mike Morath. She discusses teacher pay, class sizes, school funding and state takeovers. 11:02 — What happens outside the classroom matters Marc and Goodwin explore how hunger, healthcare and family circumstances affect students’ ability to learn, and what responsibility state leaders have to address those conditions. 12:30 — School vouchers and accountability Goodwin challenges the rationale for private-school vouchers and raises questions about transparency, who receives the benefits, and what the program means for public schools. 14:02 — Why data centers are drawing opposition Drawing on conversations across Texas, Goodwin describes residents’ concerns about water, electricity, housing, noise and light pollution. Marc asks who ultimately benefits from these developments and who bears the costs. 17:40 — Affordability and the healthcare stories voters share Goodwin recounts stories people have told her about insurance denials and discusses the difficulty of changing a healthcare system shaped by powerful interests. 19:39 — Starter homes, housing supply and construction workers A residential real estate broker, Goodwin discusses duplexes and other housing options, barriers to building, and the connection between workforce availability and housing affordability. 21:08 — The disputed transgender resource mailers Marc and Goodwin discuss mailers arriving at Texas households, questions about their origins, and Goodwin’s belief that they were intended to provoke fear ahead of the election. Who financed or directed the mailers had not been established at the time of recording. 24:30 — AI-generated political ads and public trust The conversation closes with deepfake campaign advertising, Goodwin’s account of challenging ads targeting her, and the growing difficulty of knowing what to trust. Guest information and resources Vikki Goodwin’s campaign website Goodwin’s public education platform Goodwin’s water and data center priorities Goodwin’s housing platform Texas Tribune reporting on the investigation into the disputed mailers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.