Georgia Republican Lieutenant Governor nominee?
$48.9K
JUN 17, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
GenderMale
LocationGeorgia
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BackgroundBusinessman
EducationNorth Georgia College and State University (now University of North Georgia) — B.B.A., Business Administration
Notable personal detailsStephen Wade Gooch is a Republican member of the Georgia State Senate representing District 51 (North Georgia) and has served in the chamber since 2011. He previously served as Lumpkin County commissioner and has held Georgia Senate Republican leadership roles including Majority Leader (elected in 2022; served 2023–2025). He earned a B.B.A. and an M.P.A. from North Georgia College and State University (now the University of North Georgia).
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Steve Gooch supports major state tax reductions including abolishing Georgia’s state income tax and has backed legislative measures and committee work aimed at cutting income taxes and delivering tax relief to families. He has celebrated enacted tax cuts and advocated reviewing tax exemptions to lower income tax rates and reform property taxes to reduce burdens on seniors and veterans.
Healthcare
Steve Gooch has said he is not interested in a "full-blown" Medicaid expansion for Georgia but has indicated openness to alternative, limited approaches (for example, Arkansas-style plans or targeted waivers) and is looking at options to increase access without full expansion.
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Immigration & Border
Steve Gooch supports stronger border enforcement and tougher immigration measures, including backing actions to halt illegal immigration, reinstating Trump-era restrictions, and state-level steps to discourage hiring of undocumented immigrants. He sponsored a Georgia Senate resolution calling for increased protections at the Southern border and has introduced legislation tying state incentives to lawful hiring to discourage illegal employment.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Steve Gooch has supported multiple restrictions on abortion during his tenure in the Georgia State Senate, including votes for six-week and 20-week limits and backing legislation that restricts abortion drugs and promotes pro-life measures. His legislative record and sponsorship activity align with pro-life policy positions that tighten access to abortion in Georgia.
Climate & Energy
Steve Gooch, a Republican Georgia state senator and candidate for lieutenant governor, has supported policies favoring traditional energy sources and utility-aligned measures while backing legislation to regulate electric-vehicle fees and limit new taxes on fuel. His legislative activity and public record show a focus on market/utility approaches to energy (including involvement in bills on EV charging and recognition from electric cooperatives) rather than aggressive emissions-reduction or Green New Deal–style proposals.
Public Safety & Guns
Steve Gooch's legislative record in the Georgia State Senate shows support for expanding gun access and opposing new restrictive gun-safety measures while backing criminal penalties tied to firearm offenses; he has supported measures such as permitless-carry-era legislation, votes favorable to firearm-friendly bills, and proposals tied to law enforcement and criminal penalties involving firearms. His public actions align with protecting Second Amendment rights while supporting law-enforcement-oriented responses to gun crime.
News
Steve Gooch is in the news because he is a candidate in Georgia’s lieutenant governor race, which has moved into the June 16 runoff stage. Recent coverage focused on the runoff candidates, including a scheduled debate ahead of the vote and live updates as results came in. The reports do not clearly state the final outcome of the race.
Who is running in the June 16 election
Georgia runoff debates offer voters a final look at top candidates
Live precinct map by county
10 compete to become Georgia’s next lieutenant governor
Endorsements
Endorsers of Steve Gooch for Georgia Republican Lieutenant Governor nominee?
Faith & Freedom Coalition for Georgia
Elected official
Faith & Freedom Coalition for Georgia endorsed Steve Gooch for lieutenant governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Fundraising