Lance Gooden, a U.S. Congressman who has consistently won re-election since 2018, recently posted a series of tweets addressing crime policies, border security, and public health debates.
On September 3, 2025, Gooden criticized Democratic approaches to criminal justice reform. He wrote: “Democrats:
– End cash bail
– Decriminalize offenses
– Defund the police
– Refuse to prosecute violent criminals
Yet after all of this, Democrats attempt to gaslight Americans into believing that there isn’t a crime crisis in their cities.”
Later the same day, Gooden commented on border security under President Trump by sharing statistics about unaccompanied minors found at the border. He stated: “Unaccompanied minors found along the border have dropped 93 PERCENT under President Trump.
July 2024: 7,501 children
July 2025: 515 children
This is what real border security looks like. Protecting vulnerable children while securing our nation.” This post highlights his stance on immigration policy and its effects on child safety at the U.S.-Mexico border.
On September 4, 2025, Gooden referenced debates over COVID-19 precautions and political opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s initiatives. He tweeted: “The people who thought masks and six feet social distancing worked are against RFK Jr.’s MAHA mission.
Are you surprised?”
Gooden has represented his district through several election cycles with significant margins of victory. In the most recent general election in 2024, he defeated Ruth Torres with approximately 64% of the vote. Similar results were seen in previous elections—defeating Tartisha Hill in 2022 (64%), Carolyn Salter in 2020 (62%), and Dan Wood in 2018 (62.3%).
