Jim Gooch | |
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Member of the KentuckyHouseofRepresentatives from the 12th district | |
Assumed office January 1, 1995 | |
Preceded by | Dorsey Ridley |
Personal details | |
Born | April 13,1951 |
Political party | Republican (since 2015) Democratic (until 2015) |
Residence(s) | Providence,Kentucky,U.S. |
Profession | Insurance agent |
Committees | Natural Resources and Energy (Chair) Banking and Insurance Elections,Constitutional Amendments,and Intergovernmental Affairs Veterans,Military Affairs,and Public Protection |
James Alfred Gooch Jr. (born April 13,1951) [1] is an American politician and member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since January 1995. He represents Kentucky's 12th House district,which includes Crittenden,McLean,Union,and Webster counties. Gooch switched parties from Democratic to Republican in December 2015. [2] He has served as chair of the House Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Energy for over 20 years. [1] [3]
Gooch was the founder and president of Gooch Insurance Associates from 1982 until it was sold in 1998. He been a licensed real estate sales associate since 1987.
He has previously served in various community roles such as president of the Providence Chamber of Commerce,Providence Jaycees,and Providence Ruritan Club as well as a board member of the Webster County Airport Board and Webster County Economic Development Board. He also previously served as Vice President of Membership,Vice President of Community Development,and State Treasurer of the Kentucky Jaycees. Gooch was named Providence “Citizen of the Year”in 1990. [1]
Gooch was elected mayor of Providence,Kentucky and served in this position from 1982 to 1986. He went on to serve on the Providence city council from 1990 to 1993 before filing to replace retiring House District 12 incumbent Dorsey Ridley. [4]