Jack Goodman
Encyclopedia
Jack Goodman is a Republican
member of the Missouri Senate
, representing the 29th District since 2005. He is currently the Assistant Majority Floor Leader. Previously he was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from 2003 through 2005.
and graduated from Pierce City High School in 1991. He attended the University of Missouri
, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Philosophy in 1995 and his juris doctorate in 1998.
After graduating from law school, Sen. Goodman served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Dade County, Missouri until 2002, when he was elected to his first term in the Missouri House. Then-Representative Goodman represented the 132nd District, covering almost all of Lawrence County. During his three-year House tenure, Sen. Goodman rose in the House ranks to serve as the Assistant Majority Floor Leader.
In the summer of 2005, Senator Larry "Gene" Taylor died less than one year into his first term in the Missouri Senate. Jack Goodman was nominated by the Republican Party to run in the special election to succeed Sen. Taylor. In his first race for the Missouri Senate, Goodman was elected to serve the remainder of that term ending in 2009, beating his Democratic opponent by 35 points http://sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=154&oid=36155&arc=1.
In the 2008 election, Senator Goodman ran for a second term in the Missouri Senate. No candidate of any party chose to challenge him in his reelection bid. The 29th District, which he represents, includes McDonald
, Lawrence, Barry
, Stone
, Taney
and Ozark
counties. Sen. Goodman also represents Branson
.
In addition to his duties as Assistant Majority Leader, Sen. Goodman chairs the General Laws committee. He also serves as vice-chair of the Judiciary committee and is a member of the Job, Economic Development, and Local Government; Small Business, Insurance and Industry; and the Select Committee on Oversight of the Federal Stimulus. On the Stimulus Oversight Committee, Sen. Goodman serves as the majority party's point man on stimulus dollars allocated for judicial and law enforcement issues.
In early 2009, U.S. Congressman Roy Blunt
announced he would run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond
. Blunt's announcement leaves a vacancy in Missouri's 7th Congressional district in 2010. Senator Jack Goodman has announced his candidacy for the seat and is often mentioned as a leading contender to succeed Rep. Blunt http://www.ky3.com/news/local/40013622.html. He currently lives in Mount Vernon, Missouri
with his wife, Laura, and two sons, Jack Elliott and William True Goodman.
The Stop Meth Act was also signed into law and gives law enforcement officials a wider range of tools to respond to the growing domestic production of methamphetamine. In the 2008 legislative session, Sen. Goodman sponsored Senate Bill 1194, which would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for criminals convicted of forcible rape of a child under twelve years of age. This issue has gained national attention since the Supreme Court heard decided Kennedy v. Louisiana
(2008). In 2009, Sen. Goodman introduced an altered version of that bill, which would give life imprisonment without the possibility of parole to any person convicted of forcible rape of a child under twelve years of age.
.
Goodman finished second in polling behind eventual winner Billy Long with 30,401 votes and 29.1%.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Missouri Senate
Missouri Senate
The Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
, representing the 29th District since 2005. He is currently the Assistant Majority Floor Leader. Previously he was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
from 2003 through 2005.
Biography
Jack Goodman grew up in Pierce City, MissouriPierce City, Missouri
Pierce City is a city in Lawrence County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,385 at the 2000 census. In 2010, the town annexed down Missouri Route 97 into Barry County to a point just north of US Route 60.-Geography:...
and graduated from Pierce City High School in 1991. He attended the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Philosophy in 1995 and his juris doctorate in 1998.
After graduating from law school, Sen. Goodman served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Dade County, Missouri until 2002, when he was elected to his first term in the Missouri House. Then-Representative Goodman represented the 132nd District, covering almost all of Lawrence County. During his three-year House tenure, Sen. Goodman rose in the House ranks to serve as the Assistant Majority Floor Leader.
In the summer of 2005, Senator Larry "Gene" Taylor died less than one year into his first term in the Missouri Senate. Jack Goodman was nominated by the Republican Party to run in the special election to succeed Sen. Taylor. In his first race for the Missouri Senate, Goodman was elected to serve the remainder of that term ending in 2009, beating his Democratic opponent by 35 points http://sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=154&oid=36155&arc=1.
In the 2008 election, Senator Goodman ran for a second term in the Missouri Senate. No candidate of any party chose to challenge him in his reelection bid. The 29th District, which he represents, includes McDonald
McDonald County, Missouri
McDonald County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States of America. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 23,083. Its county seat is Pineville...
, Lawrence, Barry
Barry County, Missouri
Barry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 35,597. Its county seat is Cassville. The county was organized in 1835 and named after William Taylor Barry from Kentucky, a United States Postmaster General....
, Stone
Stone County, Missouri
Stone County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 32,202. Its county seat is Galena...
, Taney
Taney County, Missouri
Taney County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 39,703. In the 2010 census the counties population was 51,675 Its county seat is Forsyth....
and Ozark
Ozark County, Missouri
Ozark County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 9,542. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 9,227. The largest city and county seat is Gainesville. From 1843 to 1845 the county was called...
counties. Sen. Goodman also represents Branson
Branson, Missouri
Branson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
.
In addition to his duties as Assistant Majority Leader, Sen. Goodman chairs the General Laws committee. He also serves as vice-chair of the Judiciary committee and is a member of the Job, Economic Development, and Local Government; Small Business, Insurance and Industry; and the Select Committee on Oversight of the Federal Stimulus. On the Stimulus Oversight Committee, Sen. Goodman serves as the majority party's point man on stimulus dollars allocated for judicial and law enforcement issues.
In early 2009, U.S. Congressman Roy Blunt
Roy Blunt
Roy D. Blunt is the junior United States Senator from Missouri. He is a member of the Republican Party. His Senate seat was previously held by Republican Kit Bond, until his retirement....
announced he would run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond
Kit Bond
Christopher Samuel "Kit" Bond is a former United States Senator from Missouri and a member of the Republican Party. First elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, he defeated Democrat Harriett Woods by a margin of 53%-47%. He was re-elected in 1992, 1998, and 2004...
. Blunt's announcement leaves a vacancy in Missouri's 7th Congressional district in 2010. Senator Jack Goodman has announced his candidacy for the seat and is often mentioned as a leading contender to succeed Rep. Blunt http://www.ky3.com/news/local/40013622.html. He currently lives in Mount Vernon, Missouri
Mount Vernon, Missouri
Mount Vernon is a city in Lawrence County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,017 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lawrence County. It is regionally known for its annual Apple butter Makin' Days festival in October. The high school's athletic teams are known as the...
with his wife, Laura, and two sons, Jack Elliott and William True Goodman.
Major Legislation
During his time in office, Sen. Goodman has sponsored several high-profile bills that have gained national attention. Sen. Goodman was the author of Missouri's Castle Doctrine, which allows homeowners to use lethal force against illegal intruders.The Stop Meth Act was also signed into law and gives law enforcement officials a wider range of tools to respond to the growing domestic production of methamphetamine. In the 2008 legislative session, Sen. Goodman sponsored Senate Bill 1194, which would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for criminals convicted of forcible rape of a child under twelve years of age. This issue has gained national attention since the Supreme Court heard decided Kennedy v. Louisiana
Kennedy v. Louisiana
Kennedy v. Louisiana, 554 U.S. 407 was a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that held that the Eighth Amendment's Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause did not permit a state to punish the crime of rape of a child with the death penalty; more broadly, the power of the state...
(2008). In 2009, Sen. Goodman introduced an altered version of that bill, which would give life imprisonment without the possibility of parole to any person convicted of forcible rape of a child under twelve years of age.
Congressional Campaign
Senator Goodman announced on February 27, 2009 his intention to run for the United States Congress seat currently held by Congressman Roy BluntRoy Blunt
Roy D. Blunt is the junior United States Senator from Missouri. He is a member of the Republican Party. His Senate seat was previously held by Republican Kit Bond, until his retirement....
.
Goodman finished second in polling behind eventual winner Billy Long with 30,401 votes and 29.1%.
External links
- Jack Goodman's Current Bills
- Missouri Senate - Senator Jack Goodman official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Jack Goodman (MO) profile
- Follow the Money - Jack Goodman