Virgil Goode
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Virgil Hamlin Goode, Jr. (born October 17 1946), American politician, is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the Fifth Congressional District of Virginia (map), which takes in the Southside region and extends north to Charlottesville.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, he attended the University of Richmond and the University of Virginia graduating with a degree in Law. He also served in the National Guard from 1965 to 1979. Goode served in the Virginia State Senate from 1973 to 1997 as a Democrat representing much of Southside. He ran for the Senate in 1982 and 1994 and was defeated in the Democratic primary both times. Goode was one of the most conservative Democrats in the state legislature. After the 1994 elections resulted in a 20-20 split between Democrats and Republicans, Goode seriously considered voting with the Republicans on organizing the chamber. Had he done so, the State Senate would have been under Republican control for the first time since Reconstruction (the Republicans ultimately won control outright in 1998).
When Congressman L. F. Payne retired in 1996, Goode won the Democratic nomination. He won election easily, as his state senate district was virtually coextensive with the southern portion of the congressional district. Goode's voting record was among the most conservative of House Democrats. He is pro-life, opposes gun control and strongly supports the tobacco industry. He was also more willing to support tax cuts than other Democrats.
Goode came under considerable fire shortly after being unopposed for a second term in 1998, when he voted for three of the four articles of impeachment against Bill Clinton. In January 2000, he declared himself an independent. He was handily reelected that November, touting himself as a congressman who was "as independent as the people he serves." However, he began caucusing with the Republicans once the 107th Congress reconvened. In 2002, the Republicans promised him a seat on the Appropriations Committee if he became a Republican. They had been lobbying him to switch parties since 1998. He did so in August just in time for the primary, making him the first Republican to represent this district since Reconstruction. He won his first full term as a Republican in November with 64% of the vote. He won reelection just as easily in 2004.
In 2005, Goode again faced political controversy when a major corporate campaign donor, defense contractor MZM, Inc., was implicated in a bribery scandal that resulted in the criminal conviction and resignation of California congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham [1]. Although he insisted that his relations with MZM were motivated solely by his interest in bringing high-paying skilled jobs to his district, Goode announced in December that he would donate the $88,000 received in MZM contributions to regional charities.
As the 109th Congress reconvened in 2006, Goode's major legislative focus was on immigration issues, particularly those related to control of illegal immigration from Mexico. He cosponsored bills that would expand border fences and permit the use of the U.S. Armed Forces in securing the borders.
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