About Katie Gooch
Katie Gooch serves as Director of the Pace Center, an inclusive, multicultural student community at Virginia Commonwealth University supported by the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA). Prior to Pace, Katie served as the Executive Pastor of Reveille United Methodist Church.
Katie also serves on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, the Virginia Public Media (VPM) Community Advisory Board, co-chairs the Board of the United Methodist Church Legislative Network, chairs the Board of the Grace Covenant Child Development Center, which maintained essential child care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and chairs the Finance and Audit Committee of the Virginia United Methodist Pension Inc., which provides healthcare and benefits to over 3,000 clergy and their families. Previously, Katie served on the Advisory Board of Friends of the Virginia Commonwealth University Library, as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Shalom Farms, which builds healthy communities and prevents food insecurity by growing and sharing food, and as a Partner of the Swansboro Elementary School Community Partners.
Katie is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, played Division I field hockey at Duke University, and moved to Richmond for her pastoral appointment at Reveille United Methodist Church. Katie is an ordained United Methodist Pastor. She holds a B.A. in Public Policy and Political Science from Duke University where she also earned her Masters of Divinity. She lives with her husband and their three children in Barton Heights in Northside Richmond.
Why Elect Katie Gooch?
“I am running because I want to serve our community through legislation that is shaped by listening deeply to the people of Richmond. I commit to serving the shared interests of the people of our district. I am running for new State Senate District 14 to take on the challenges of a growing Richmond and to place our people first.”
For more than 20 years, Katie Gooch has been bringing diverse groups of people together to address issues and build community. As Richmond grows at a rapid pace, she believes that the real question is how will it grow. As the next State Senator for Richmond, Katie will use her experience in community building to ensure affordable housing, world-class education, and transportation networks evolve so that our region grows equitably and all those in the next generation have the opportunity to thrive.
“As a pastor and an engaged community member trained in the practice of servant leadership, it’s been my job to empower people and communities. In Richmond, I’ve worked to address food insecurity, poverty, racial division and expand access to early childhood education and higher education. My mission is to bridge the gaps of race, age, political alignment, and religious affiliation.
“I am inspired by Congressman Donald McEachin and Senator Jennifer McClellan who worked diligently for the people over their many years of service in the State Senate. Their example showed that the job of a State Senator is not to fight the political battles of yesterday, but to build coalitions in order to make change over time. For the good of our families and our communities, I am committed to act strongly for the interests of the 14th District, to speak out for those who need a voice, and most importantly, to do the hard work of actively listening to the people and enacting legislation that is truly representative.
“I have not aspired to elected office my whole life. I grew up. I worked. And I discovered that any successes I have had has been the result of bringing peoples’ gifts and passions together. As Richmond faces rapid growth, it is more important than ever to include the perspectives of all of our community so that no one is left behind and all can flourish.
“As your next State Senator, I will continue working for those things that I think are right: justice, equality, reflecting God’s grace, humility, and a sense that we can all work toward our goals together.
“I humbly ask for your vote on June 20th.”