Vikki Goodwin Defeats Dan Patrick for Texas Lieutenant Governor
The Democratic victory marks the first time a Democrat has won the office since 1994, ending Patrick's three-term tenure.
By Aaron Foster ·
Vikki Goodwin defeated three-term incumbent Dan Patrick in Tuesday's election for Texas lieutenant governor. Goodwin captured nearly 52 percent of the vote, while Patrick received roughly 46 percent. Patrick conceded the race early Wednesday. Goodwin is the first Democrat to hold the office since 1994.
The result drew immediate attention from Leslie Marshall, a nationally syndicated radio host and political commentator. On November 4, Marshall posted on X that she was glad the people of Texas voted Patrick out. She connected his defeat to a professional dispute that occurred more than three decades ago.
Marshall recalled that in 1992, she hosted a midday talk show at KPRC-AM in Houston. At the time, Patrick was set to become the program director after his company purchased the station. Marshall stated that Patrick called her into his office and told her he would fire her because she was a liberal. She responded that she quit before he could fire her.
Patrick's career in broadcasting began in 1979 when he started as a sportscaster at KHOU-TV. He moved into conservative talk radio in 1988 when he took over KSEV-AM. In October 1992, his broadcasting company, Sunbelt Broadcasting, agreed to a $3.5 million deal to buy KPRC-AM from the Hobby family. The Hobby family had owned the station since 1925. The sale was finalized in 1993.
Marshall left KPRC in 1992 to replace Tom Snyder on the ABC Satellite Radio Network. Her syndicated program aired on more than 200 stations. She has since hosted in major markets including Chicago, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles. Since 2001, she has worked as a political commentator for national television networks, including FOX News, CNN, and CNBC.
Patrick transitioned to politics after his radio career. He won a seat in the Texas Senate representing a Houston area in 2006. Voters elected him lieutenant governor in 2014, and he took office in January 2015. His office was contacted for comment regarding Marshall's remarks.
