top of page
Meet Barbara

Barbara Gooby is a passionate advocate dedicated to serving the community as a candidate for Georgia State Senate District 1 in 2026. With a strong background in public service and grassroots advocacy, Barbara understands the issues that matter most to you. She believes in transparency and open communication, providing a platform for feedback and engagement. Barbara is committed to addressing the needs of the community by ensuring that every voice is heard. Together, we can build a brighter future for every resident of Georgia's Senate District 1.

Barbara has lived in Savannah, Georgia since 2005.  Recently retired, she worked 30+ years as an administrative/executive assistant in institutions of higher education (Univ. of North Carolina, NC School of Science & Math, Georgia Southern), giving her expertise in problem solving, project management, and connecting people with resources.

Education

Bachelor's degree:  Vassar College, Political Science major

J.D. (law degree):  Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

M.A. in Mental Health Counseling:  South University

​

Community Experience

​Poll worker/poll manager since 2016

Member & Team Leader, Justice Unites Savannah Together (JUST) since 2021

Stephen Minister (Asbury Memorial Church) since 2021

Board member & President of several arts organizations since 1995

Member, League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia

​

Fun facts 

I lost on Jeopardy! (came in 2nd, air date 9/18/2018)

My husband and I met via eHarmony -- it worked!

I have performed in or served on the crew of the entire Gilbert & Sullivan canon

Issues affecting Georgia's State

Senate District 1

 
Working Families

  • Increase minimum wage to a livable wage

  • Ensure workplace safety (due to US Dept. of Labor reduction in safety rules)

  • Improve environmental health for workers and our families

  • Require corporate responsibility to employees (healthcare, job training, long-term commitment to the community)

  • Increase availability of training and apprenticeships in the trades

  • Access to healthcare and mental health care

  • Funding for education to improve reading & math scores

​

Infrastructure

  • Eliminate corporate ownership of water rights

  • Address climate change, especially need for clean water and air

  • Address flooding issues throughout District 1

  • Plan better and earlier for traffic/roadway issues

  • Increase access to public transportation in dense population areas

​​

Expanded voting rights

  • Eliminate voting restrictions for the elderly, unhoused, and poor citizens

  • Implement fair redistricting so everyone's vote counts equally

  • Extend options and time for early voting

​​​​​

Reproductive autonomy/freedom
Civil rights: 1st Amendment, LGBTQ+, et al.
Common sense gun laws to stem gun violence

Influences

"The breath you have left -- that's what you've been given.  That's what you owe. Breath is a gift and a responsibility. We're not gonna sit here and let healthcare die. We're not gonna sit here and let healthcare die. We're not gonna sit here and let living wages dies. We're not gonna sit here and let democracy die. It's time to live. It's time to stand. It's time to speak. To protest. To live justice."  ~Bishop William J. Barber II

Over the past 45 years, inequality has grown exponentially for all Americans, but especially (and surprisingly) for poor and low-income white people. And yet, the GOP's major policy achievement for 2025 was to cut government programs that help everyday Americans in order to provide corporations and the ultra-wealthy with historically low tax rates (less than 1/2 of what they were 1965-1981).  ~ paraphrased from Bishop William J. Barber II

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." ~Micah 6:8

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments." ~Matthew 22:37-40

"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of My brethren, you did it to me." ~Matthew 25:40

"Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered." ~Michelle Obama, Jan. 2017

bottom of page