(The Texas Tribune) - Vikki Goodwin declared victory over Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Tuesday to become the first Democratic lieutenant governor of Texas in 27 years, handedly dismissing an architect of the modern Texas Republican Party who pushed the state further right in his nearly two decades in public office.

The Austin state representative unseated Patrick, a close ally of President Donald Trump, amid a surge of Democratic victories that plucked the state's minority power out of a losing streak.

She inherits one of the most powerful elected offices in Texas - for now.