Democratic candidates for statewide office and congressional hopeful Kyle Rable will open a three-day tour of West Texas on July 18, 2026, with the first stop a 2-4 p.m. speaking event at The Garden in Lubbock. The tour, named the South Plains Swing Tour, runs through July 20 and includes additional stops in Plainview, Big Spring and Abilene ahead of the November 3 general election.
The effort coordinates multiple campaigns, including Gina Hinojosa's bid for governor, and targets rural voters in a region that has favored Republicans in recent cycles.
Tour Schedule Details Four West Texas Stops
The itinerary begins in Lubbock on July 18 before moving to Plainview, Big Spring and Abilene on the following days. Organizers scheduled the Lubbock event at The Garden, 1801 Buddy Holly Ave., to allow candidates to address local voters directly on issues ranging from agriculture to energy policy.
Subsequent stops will follow a similar format of public appearances designed to reach voters outside major urban centers. The compressed three-day window keeps the focus tight on the South Plains region while allowing candidates to return to other campaign obligations.
Full Slate of Candidates Appears on the Tour
The Lubbock program features Gina Hinojosa for governor, Kyle Rable for Congress in the 19th District, Vikki Goodwin for lieutenant governor, Clayton Tucker for agriculture commissioner, Sarah Eckhardt for comptroller and Jon Rosenthal for railroad commissioner. Additional candidates will join at later stops.
| Candidate | Office Sought |
|---|---|
| Gina Hinojosa | Governor |
| Kyle Rable | U.S. House, TX-19 |
| Vikki Goodwin | Lieutenant Governor |
| Clayton Tucker | Agriculture Commissioner |
| Sarah Eckhardt | Comptroller |
| Jon Rosenthal | Railroad Commissioner |
This roster covers every major statewide row office plus the open congressional seat. The coordinated appearance lets each candidate introduce themselves to voters who rarely see Democratic statewide contenders in person.
