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

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.

Early life and education

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

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

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

  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.

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