Mike Collier Announces Independent run for Lieutenant Governor

After two previous losses to incumbent Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R), Mike Collier is once again running for the office, but this time as an Independent.

This week, Mike Collier, who previously ran for Texas Lt. Governor in 2018 and 2022, announced that he was launching an Independent bid for the position. State Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D), who currently represents Texas' House District 47, announced her candidacy in May.

Describing himself as "an American patriot, a Texan, a self-made businessman, and a grandfather," Collier expressed that "two parties at war with each other are failing our state and our nation" in an announcement video posted on social media.

"What Texans want are better schools, lower property taxes, a strong economy, common sense reproductive rights, and term limits, and what do we get? In Washington, we get dysfunction, chaos, and in Texas, we get Dan Patrick... a man too arrogant to even listen to voters," Collier commented.

Lt. Governor Patrick officially filed his re-election paperwork this week, touting President Donald Trump's (R) "complete and total endorsement."

"Dan's leadership was pivotal in the passage of the new, fair, and much improved Congressional Map, that will give the wonderful people of Texas the tremendous opportunity to elect 5 new MAGA Republicans in the 2026 Midterm Elections - A HUGE VICTORY for our America First Agenda," President Trump shared in a Truth Social post.

Noting that the United States is about to celebrate its 250 years as a country, Collier vows that "it's time we declare our independence from a failed two-party system that's leading our state and our nation to ruin."

In 2022, Collier lost to Lt. Governor Patrick in a 53.8% to 43.5% general election, and in 2018, he lost in a 51.3% to 46.5% race.

Mothers Against Greg Abbott PAC shared a comment regarding Collier's candidacy, suggesting that he should have once again run as a Democrat.

"Mike should have had balls enough for a straight up Primary because now a bunch of us on Democrat side feel like he's untrustworthy and question his flip flop to the Independent Party," the PAC commented on X, urging followers to donate and support state Rep. Goodwin's campaign instead.