TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Marcos Vélez said legalizing cannabis is one of the easiest ways to increase state revenue as he heads into the May 26 runoff against state Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin).

“It’s something that we need to do in this state,” Vélez said. He said the revenue should be directed into healthcare and other resources for the community.

Vélez garnered about 32% of the vote in the March 3 primary, while Goodwin garnered about 48%. Neither candidate reached the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Vélez said he is campaigning on economic populism.

Vélez said his campaign priorities focus on raising the state minimum wage to about $24 an hour, making healthcare more affordable and funding public schools. He said the state carried a $24 billion surplus over and should stop subsidizing corporations to provide subsidies for small businesses.

“When I talk about economic populism, I mean an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work,” Vélez said. “And we’re not seeing that right now.”

If Vélez wins the runoff, he will face incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-Texas) in the general election. Vélez said his first priority would be working with the Texas Senate to raise the state minimum wage.

“It needs to be a living wage. When you look at figures, the last study that we looked at, for you to be able to afford a one-bedroom apartment, pay the basics like insurance, lights, water, gas, state minimum wage needs to be somewhere about $24 an hour,” Vélez said.