MARILYN T HIBODEAUX Contributed Article
Candidates in the March 3rd Democratic primary met with voters Sunday Jan. 18th in Shiner.
Candidates represented campaigns from three levels of government sharing their backgrounds and campaign platforms for the future of Texas. The event was sponsored by the LaVaca Democratic Party, the DeWitt Democratic Party, and DeWitt/LaVaca Democratic Women.
Texas Representative Vikki Goodwin, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, has served in the state house since 2018. Goodwin was instrumental in providing a grant program to rural Democratic counties and their neighboring counties. Lavaca County Democratic Party received a grant from the program to partner with DeWitt County Democrats to strengthen ties in this rural area. Goodwin’s focus is on quality public education, clean water, and energy. She also spoke about the need for comprehensive healthcare reform to increase access in rural areas. She noted too many community hospitals are closing or struggling to remain open.
Attorney Holly Taylor will be on the March 3, 2026 ballot for the Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9. Employed at the Travis County District Attorney’s office, Taylor serves on the Senior Leadership team and serves as a mentor. She emphasized the importance of “the court that no one has ever heard of.” This court is considered the “other” Supreme Court of Texas and handles appeals on issues ranging from traffic tickets to murder cases. She believes in equal justice before the law, an independent court, impartiality and integrity of Texas courts. Taylor received her undergraduate degrees from Rice University and advanced degrees at University of Texas including her law degree.
Dr. Ada Cuellar is on the ballot to fill the position of U.S. Representative in the newly formed TXDistrict 15 currently held by Republican Monica de la Cruz. The Texas legislature created the new district at the request of President Donald Trump mid-decade. Cuellar is an emergency doctor and recently completed her law degree. She lives in Hidalgo County but was raised in Weslaco. She said her focus will be healthcare. She said she has witnessed delayed preventive care leading to emergency room care, a more costly approach. She will work to reverse massive cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. Other priorities include strengthening public education and immigration reform by Congress.
David Steves, candidate for Texas Representative in District 30, is a fifth generation Texan born in Yorktown and now lives outside of Victoria. District 30 includes DeWitt, Goliad, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, and Victoria. A father of three, he has been involved with the Victoria ISD school board on many committees. His focus is reducing the emphasis on the statewide testing program which he said places undue pressure on teachers and students alike. Standardized curriculum reduces innovation in the classroom, Steves said.
For more information about the candidates visit their websites online.
