Courtney Head

Courtney Head

Democratic Party

Candidate, Lieutenant Governor of Texas

Elections and appointments

Next election

March 3, 2026

Education

High school

Smithson Valley High School

Associates

San Antonio College, 2014

Bachelor's

University of Houston, 2017

Personal

Birthplace

Honolulu, HI

Religion

Christian

Profession

Business manager

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign X

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Courtney Head (Democratic Party) is running for election for Lieutenant Governor of Texas. She is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.^[source]

Head completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Courtney Head was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She graduated from Smithson Valley High School. She earned an associate degree from San Antonio College in 2014 and a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston in 2017. Her career experience includes working as a business manager and in public-sector contract negotiation and compliance.

Elections

2026

See also: Texas lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Texas

Mike Collier (Independent) is running in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Texas on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Mike Collier (Independent)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Texas

Vikki Goodwin (D), Courtney Head (D), and Marcos Velez (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Texas on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Vikki Goodwin
		Courtney Head
	Submit photo	Marcos Velez

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Texas

Incumbent Dan Patrick (R), Perla Hopkins (R), Timothy Mabry (R), and Esala Wueschner (R) are running in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Texas on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Dan Patrick
		Perla Hopkins
		Timothy Mabry
		Esala Wueschner

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Courtney Head completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Head's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Courtney Head was born in Honolulu, HI, to a military family. After her parents' divorce, her mother returned home to San Antonio, Texas, where she raised Courtney with the support of her grandparents. It was there, through the loving guidance of her family, that Courtney was instilled with the values of commitment, honesty, and service.

A graduate of Smithson Valley High School, Courtney went on to earn an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies from San Antonio College before completing a Bachelor's in Philosophy with a minor in Political Science at the University of Houston.

Professionally, Courtney has built her career in commercial law and now serves as a Contracts & Privacy Manager for a software company based in Columbus, OH. Courtney has negotiated multi-million dollar agreements with partners ranging from international and domestic government agencies to small businesses and Fortune 500 firms. This work earned her recognition for handling complex challenges, fostering cooperation, and delivering results grounded in integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Beyond her career, Courtney is a wife and the mother of two young daughters. Her experiences as both a professional and a parent fuel her commitment to building a Texas where every family has the opportunity to thrive. She is running for Lieutenant Governor to bring courage, compassion, and principled leadership to the State Capitol - and to ensure Texas truly works for all Texans.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Transparency is the foundation of trust between government and the people it serves. Too often, political decisions are made behind closed doors, leaving citizens uncertain about how or why choices are made. Courtney believes Texans deserve better. She is committed to ensuring that government actions, spending, and priorities are communicated clearly and openly. By creating more accessible processes and keeping lines of communication open, Courtney will make sure that every Texan feels informed and included in the decisions that affect their lives. Transparency isn't just about sharing information - it's about creating trust and ensuring that public service reflects the voice of the people.
• For Courtney, accountability means being answerable to the people of Texas in both words and actions. Public office is not a platform for personal gain - it is a responsibility to deliver results and honor commitments. Throughout her work and personal life, Courtney has learned the importance of standing by agreements and ensuring promises are kept. She will bring that same discipline to the Lieutenant Governor's office. Texans deserve leaders who use resources wisely, follow through on their promises, and uphold their duty to the people. Accountability ensures that government leaders not only take oaths to the people but honor them; Courtney will hold herself and others to that standard every day.
• Integrity is the standard principle and firm foundation by which Courtney measures the decisions in her life and career. In business, she has earned respect for navigating high-stakes negotiations with honesty and consistency, never compromising her values for convenience. As a leader, Courtney will put people above politics, resist special interests, and focus on doing what is right for Texans rather than what is politically expedient. Integrity means being the same person in private as in public, and leading with principle even when no one is watching. Texans can trust that Courtney will serve with honesty and fight for what is right.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Courtney is passionate about policies that put Texans first. She supports strengthening public education, expanding access to affordable healthcare and childcare. Courtney seeks to enact fair wages while supporting the small businesses that drive our economy forward. Courtney believes in protecting democracy through election reform and empowering citizens with ballot initiatives. She also supports balanced immigration reform that reflects both compassion and security. In addition, Courtney is committed to delivering meaningful property tax relief that eases burdens without sacrificing essential services communities rely on. Courtney's focus is on practical, people-centered solutions rooted in transparency, accountability, and integrity.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Lieutenant Governor of Texas occupies a truly unique place in state government. While many people assume the Governor holds the most sway, it is often the Lieutenant Governor who has the greater influence over how Texas is governed day to day. As presiding officer of the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor directs the flow of legislation, appoints committees and their chairs, assigns bills, and shapes which ideas become law. The office also oversees the state budget through the Legislative Budget Board, playing a decisive role in determining how billions of taxpayer dollars are invested in schools, healthcare, infrastructure, and public safety. Unlike in most states, this office bridges the executive and legislative branches, combining authority to both set the agenda and manage resources. That makes the Texas Lieutenant Governor one of the most powerful legislative leaders in the nation and an essential part of our legal and political system. With such broad responsibility, the role is not just about procedure—it is about vision and values. The Lieutenant Governor must ensure the legislative process is fair, that taxpayer dollars are managed responsibly, and that decisions are made openly and honestly. Because this office touches nearly every law and every budget decision, it demands leadership rooted in transparency, accountability, and integrity. When carried out with principle, the Lieutenant Governor’s role has the power to shape a Texas for all Texans.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe the strongest qualities in public service are transparency, humility, and empathy. These are not just personal virtues— they are foundational to rebuilding trust between elected officials and the communities they serve.

Transparency ensures that government is not something done to people, but with them. When leaders openly share how decisions are made, how taxpayer dollars are spent, and who benefits from proposed policies, it invites accountability and honest conversation. Transparency takes courage—because it means being willing to be questioned, challenged, and held to a standard. But without it, trust cannot exist.

Humility reminds us that leadership is not about power, ego, or titles. It is about service. A humble leader understands that no single person has all the answers. They listen before they speak. They consult before they decide. They are willing to learn, to adjust, and to admit when something isn’t working. Humility keeps leaders grounded in their purpose: to uplift others, not themselves.

Empathy is what makes policy human. Data, budgets, and legislation matter—but they are only meaningful when we understand the people behind them. Empathy means recognizing that every Texan has a story worth hearing. It means acknowledging the struggles families face, and shaping policy that responds to real life, not just statistics. Empathy brings dignity back into government.

Together, these qualities create a different kind of politics—one rooted not in division or performance, but in partnership with the people. This is the leadership our communities deserve, and it is the leadership I am committed to embodying every single day.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The Lieutenant Governor of Texas is not simply a stand-in for the Governor but one of the most powerful leaders in the state. As President of the Texas Senate, the Lieutenant Governor is the chief architect of the state’s laws and budget, with more direct influence over the legislative process than almost anyone else in Texas politics. This office appoints committee chairs, determines which bills receive hearings, guides debate on the Senate floor, and even casts tie-breaking votes on critical legislation. As chair of the Legislative Budget Board, the Lieutenant Governor also plays a central role in writing and overseeing the state’s multibillion-dollar budget, making decisions that affect every Texan. With so much authority concentrated in this office, transparency, integrity, and accountability are not optional — they are essential. Texans deserve a Lieutenant Governor who will make decisions openly, use power responsibly, and remain accountable to the people rather than to political insiders or special interests. The position carries the obligation of ensuring laws are crafted fairly, taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, and the needs of Texans come before partisan agendas. In every action, the Lieutenant Governor must uphold the trust of the people by leading with principle, protecting the integrity of the legislative process, and guaranteeing that government remains open, honest, and accountable.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

One of the first major historical events I remember is the Columbine school shooting. I was only eight years old in 1999, but I can still picture the news coverage of high school students running from their school, crying, confused, and devastated. It was the first time I understood that something terrible like that could happen in a place that was supposed to be safe.

At that time, it felt like a shocking, isolated tragedy. But in the 26 years since Columbine, school shootings have only become more common. Students today practice lockdown drills the same way previous generations practiced fire drills. Children now have to learn where to hide, how to stay quiet, and how to keep themselves alive. No child should have to think this way just to get an education.

We have watched the same pattern repeat again and again: tragedy, grief, and then no meaningful change. Yet our students remain vulnerable. Teachers continue to carry the emotional burden of protecting classrooms on top of everything else they already do. Parents are left anxiously hoping each day that their children come home safe. This is not normal, and we should not accept it.

Protecting students must be a priority, not a political talking point. Our schools should be safe environments where children can learn, grow, and simply be kids. I believe we have a responsibility to face this crisis with honesty, compassion, and real action.

As Lieutenant Governor, I will work to protect Texas students. Their safety will not be negotiable.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

When I was sixteen years old, I started my very first job at Perfect Slice Pizza, a small, family-owned pizza shop in Bulverde, Texas just a couple miles from my childhood home. I worked there throughout high school and during the summer before I left for college. It was more than just a job—it was where I began to understand the value of community.

I loved the energy of the place. Families would come in after Friday night football games, kids from school stopped by after class, and local regulars always had stories to tell. We knew people by name. We knew their orders by heart. There was something special about that—about being part of a place where people felt at home.

Perfect Slice also participated in local events and fundraisers, and those moments stand out the most. Whether we were donating pizzas for school events, handing out slices at community gatherings, or staying open late after parades and celebrations, it always felt like we were doing something that brought people together. I had fun—real fun. Laughing behind the counter, learning how to move fast on a busy night, folding boxes while talking about life with coworkers who became close friends.

Working there taught me early that community isn’t something that just “exists”—it’s something people build through everyday kindness, shared experiences, and showing up for one another. I didn’t realize it at sixteen, but those moments shaped my understanding of what it means to support your neighbors, serve your community, and take pride in the place you come from.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is Meditations by Marcus Aurelius because it offers timeless, practical wisdom from one of history’s most influential leaders while also revealing the deeply human side of his struggles. What makes the book remarkable is that it was never written for public acclaim—it was a private journal where Aurelius held himself accountable, wrestled with his failures, and reminded himself of the importance of living with virtue. That non-performative nature makes his words strikingly genuine and relatable. Despite being emperor of Rome, with unimaginable responsibility and pressure, Aurelius confronts the same questions we all face: how to act justly, how to maintain perspective in hardship, and how to resist the temptations of ego and anger. His reflections show that true strength is not about domination but about self-discipline, humility, and service to others. For me, the enduring power of Meditations lies in its honesty—these are not lofty theories meant to impress, but practical reminders to live with integrity even when it is difficult. The book offers a roadmap for balancing power with principle, and it demonstrates that leadership is ultimately about character, not control. Whenever I return to its pages, I am reminded that the pursuit of virtue is a daily effort, one that requires patience, resilience, and the courage to hold oneself to a higher standard.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Right now, Texas needs leadership that uses that power to serve people, not corporations or wealthy donors.

One of the most urgent responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor is reallocating the state budget toward what actually strengthens our communities and prepares us for the future. Texas has one of the largest state budgets in the nation, yet we consistently rank near the bottom when it comes to education outcomes, healthcare access, maternal mortality, infrastructure resilience, and overall quality of life. This disconnect is not an accident—it is a direct result of misplaced priorities.

We must intentionally redirect our investments into public education, ensuring our students have safe classrooms, modern resources, and qualified teachers who are paid wages that reflect the importance of their work. The future of Texas depends on an educated, empowered, and innovative generation—and we cannot achieve that while our schools remain underfunded and our teachers overburdened.

We must also focus on healthcare, including women’s healthcare and bodily autonomy. Texans deserve the right to make decisions about their own bodies without political interference. Expanding access to preventive care, reproductive care, and maternal health services is not just a policy choice—it is a moral obligation.

Texas is also well-positioned to lead the nation in cannabis legalization, which would generate billions in tax revenue, reduce unnecessary incarceration, support veterans and patients with chronic conditions, and stimulate small business growth instead of funneling economic opportunity into the hands of a few.

In addition, we must commit to renewable energy expansion and infrastructure innovation. Texas already leads the country in wind energy, and we have limitless solar capacity. Investing in a diversified, resilient energy grid protects Texans from future crises like the 2021 winter storm—and it positions us as a global leader in the next era of energy production.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Lieutenant Governor decides which bills are allowed to be discussed and which never come up for a vote. This means they can quietly shape what laws move forward in Texas and what ideas are shut down before people ever hear about them.

They also choose who leads every Senate committee, including the ones over education, healthcare, public safety, and the budget. So the Lieutenant Governor has a major influence on which voices and priorities are taken seriously at the Capitol.

Because they help create the first draft of the state budget, they play a key role in deciding where our tax dollars go before the public even sees the plan. They can also call special hearings between sessions to study specific issues and steer future policies.

The Lieutenant Governor controls how fast or slow the Senate works, and can block or move bills as they choose. In reality, this office acts as the center of power in Texas government, shaping the future of our schools, our healthcare, our economy, and our communities.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Short answer no - we don’t need more politicians who only know how to operate inside the Capitol. We need leaders who understand what Texans are actually living through — housing costs, healthcare struggles, school conditions, childcare, wages. I’ve spent my career negotiating complex deals, solving real problems, and making systems work for people. Those are the skills the Lieutenant Governor role actually requires.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

The Lieutenant Governor should have strong negotiation and communication skills, because they must bring together lawmakers with different viewpoints and guide them toward solutions that serve Texans. They need to be able to listen, speak clearly, and build trust across communities and political lines.

They must have budget and financial understanding, since this office helps shape the state budget and decide where taxpayer money goes. Knowing how to fairly distribute funding to schools, healthcare, infrastructure, and public services is essential to improving quality of life.

Strategic planning and long-term thinking are also important. The Lieutenant Governor should look beyond short-term political wins and plan for the future of Texas—especially when it comes to energy, education, transportation, and climate challenges.

The office also requires conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. When disagreements arise, the Lieutenant Governor must be able to ease tension, find common ground, and keep government moving forward instead of stuck in division.

Finally, the most important quality is empathy for everyday Texans. The Lieutenant Governor should understand the real challenges families face—like rising costs, limited healthcare access, and school conditions—and make decisions with compassion and accountability

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

I believe Texas would benefit greatly from adopting a statewide ballot initiative process. Too often, important issues stall in the legislature because of partisanship, political gridlock, or the influence of powerful interests. A ballot initiative would give everyday Texans a direct way to bring forward the issues that matter most to them and to hold leaders accountable when they fail to act. I trust the people of Texas to make thoughtful decisions about our future, and I believe our democracy is strongest when citizens have more than one path to shape the laws that govern their lives. A ballot initiative process would not replace the legislature, but it would compliment it by ensuring that pressing concerns can't be ignored indefinitely. From property taxes to healthcare to government reform, Texans should have a tool that lets their voices be heard clearly and directly at the ballot box. Giving people this power would build trust in our institutions, increase civic participation, and ensure that government truly reflects the will of the people.

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