Like all candidates must do these days, Goodwin is rethinking her outreach to voters in light of the pandemic, using tactics like phone banks, social media, and online events. And with the shift to remote campaigning, she sees a silver lining. “While the energy in the room during a public event just can’t be replicated online, so many more people from across the state are partici­pating,” she says. “I much prefer seeing people’s faces and body language, but we have to be flexible and adapt.”

The May 25 death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis was a turning point for many western Travis County residents who responded by holding rallies to support Black Lives Matter. For State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, Floyd’s death made it “very apparent that we still have a long way to go to reach where we need to be with civil rights.”

As a result, Goodwin—whose House District 47 covers Lakeway, Bee Cave, Spicewood and some unincorporated Westbank areas—recently formed an Anti-Racism Advisory Group. With 15 members representing diverse neighborhoods and races, the group aims to improve race relations and address racism in the area.

The members of the Travis County Delegation to the Texas House of Representatives have issued a joint statement supporting peaceful protests while condemning violence and destruction. The statement comes following days of growing anger and unrest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.