Robert Goforth

Summary

Robert Goforth (born February 27, 1976) is an American politician and pharmacist who served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the 89th district from 2018 to 2021.

Robert Goforth
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
from the 89th district
In office
March 6, 2018 – August 24, 2021
Preceded byMarie Rader
Succeeded byTimmy Truett
Personal details
Born1975 or 1976 (age 47–48)[1]
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAshley
Children3
Residence(s)East Bernstadt, Kentucky, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Kentucky (BS)
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (PharmD)
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1994–1996

Early life and education edit

Goforth is from East Bernstadt, Kentucky. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.[2]

Career edit

Goforth served as a combat engineer in the United States Army from 1994 to 1996.[3] He was first elected to the Kentucky House in February 2018.[4][5] Goforth challenged incumbent Republican governor Matt Bevin in the 2019 gubernatorial election, getting roughly 40 percent of the vote in the primary election.[6]

Goforth sought re-election despite his indictment, and was condemned by a number of pro-family groups, including Kentucky for Strong Families.[7][8] He was re-elected in 2020 with 70% of the vote.[9] He resigned from office in August 2021, while still facing charges.[10][11]

Personal life edit

In April 2020, Goforth was arrested on charges relating to domestic violence. The Laurel County Sheriff's Office charged Goforth with first-degree strangulation, fourth-degree domestic assault and third-degree terroristic threatening for physically assaulting his wife, attempting to hog-tie her and strangling her with an Ethernet cord. He was taken to the Laurel County Detention Center.[12] In September 2020, Goforth was indicted on one count of first-degree strangulation and one count of assault in the fourth degree.[13]

In May 2022 Goforth was convicted of fraud.[14]

References edit

  1. ^ "What to know about Robert Goforth in the 2019 Kentucky governor's race". The Courier-Journal.
  2. ^ "Robert Goforth's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  3. ^ "Robert Goforth". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  4. ^ Johnson, Nita (February 22, 2018). "Candidates Kelly Smith, Robert Goforth share views during debate". The Times-Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  5. ^ "ELECTION 2018: Goforth wins special election for 89th district". Richmond Register. Associated Press. February 27, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  6. ^ "Gov. Matt Bevin wins Kentucky Republican primary". www.wkyt.com. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  7. ^ Six, Taylor. "'Despicable': Local voters respond to Ashley Goforth letter of endorsement". Richmond Register. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  8. ^ "Resign Robert Goforth | Kentucky for Strong Families". Resign Goforth. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  9. ^ "Rep. Robert Goforth re-elected despite being charged with strangulation". 6 November 2020.
  10. ^ Schreiner, Bruce (2021-08-24)."Rep. Robert Goforth Resigns." The Times-Tribune. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  11. ^ Watkins, Morgan, and Joe Sonka (2021-08-24). "Facing Criminal Charges, Robert Goforth Resigns Post as a Kentucky Lawmaker." Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  12. ^ Caudill, T. J. (21 April 2020). "State Rep. Robert Goforth arrested on domestic violence charges". www.wymt.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
  13. ^ Armus, Teo (September 21, 2020). "Kentucky GOP lawmaker indicted on assault, accused of strangling woman with ethernet cable". Washington Post. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Goforth pleads guilty in federal health care fraud case involving $2.7M in excess billing". 26 May 2022.

External links edit