Lance Gooden (TX-5)

Biography

Lance Gooden, born on December 1, 1982, in Terrell, Texas, is a Republican politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas' 5th Congressional District since 2019. The district encompasses parts of eastern Dallas and extends into rural areas east of the city. Before his tenure in Congress, Gooden served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 4, which includes Henderson and Kaufman counties. He has also worked in the insurance industry for a decade. Gooden resides in Terrell with his wife, Alexa, and their two children, Liam and Milla.

Education

• University of Texas at Austin: Bachelor of Arts in Government
• University of Texas at Austin: Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
  

Political Experience

• U.S. House of Representatives: Representative for Texas' 5th Congressional District
  • Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary
  • Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet
  • Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust
  • Member of the House Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation
  • Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
  • Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
• Texas House of Representatives: Representative for District 4
  • Served on the Appropriations, County Affairs, and House Administration committees

Notable Achievements

• Pro-Life Advocacy: Gooden has a 100% pro-life voting record and has supported legislation such as HB 2, which raised safety standards at abortion facilities and banned abortions after 20 weeks.
• Second Amendment Support: He has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association for his efforts to strengthen gun rights, including reducing the number of hours required for Concealed Handgun License instruction.
• Education Reform: Gooden has worked to increase funding for public and higher education while eliminating two-thirds of the standardized tests required under state law, aiming to return control to local parents and teachers.
• Fiscal Responsibility: He has been committed to low taxes and responsible budgets, contributing to balanced budgets that keep state spending increases under population growth plus inflation.

Gooden continues to serve his constituents by focusing on issues such as border security, job creation, national defense, and dismantling what he describes as a "weaponized government."