Oscar Goodman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oscar Goodman
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| 21st Mayor of Las Vegas | |
| In office June 8, 1999 – July 6, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Jan Laverty Jones |
| Succeeded by | Carolyn Goodman |
| First Gentleman of Las Vegas | |
| In role July 6, 2011 – December 4, 2024 |
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| Mayor | Carolyn Goodman |
| Preceded by | Carolyn Goodman (as First Lady) |
| Succeeded by | Lawrence Lehner |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Oscar Baylin Goodman
July 26, 1939 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent (2009–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic (1989–2009) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4, including Ross |
| Residences | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Education | Haverford College (BA) University of Pennsylvania (JD) |
| Profession | Attorney, politician |
Oscar Baylin Goodman (born July 26, 1939) is an American lawyer and politician. He was the mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada from 1999 to 2011. He was first a member of the Democratic Party, then became an independent politician. His wife, Carolyn Goodman, became mayor after him in 2011.
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Early life and education
Oscar Goodman was born and grew up in Philadelphia. He went to Central High School and then graduated from The Haverford School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Haverford College in 1961. Later, he received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1964. He and his wife Carolyn have four children.
Career
As a defense attorney
Before becoming mayor, Oscar Goodman worked as a defense attorney. This means he was a lawyer who defended people accused of crimes in court. He was known for representing many well-known people in Las Vegas.
Goodman also represented former San Diego Mayor Roger Hedgecock. Goodman was a senior partner in the law firm of Goodman & Chesnoff.
Public service roles
In 1964, Goodman and his wife became involved in the local Jewish community in Las Vegas. Carolyn later led the women's divisions of the community group.
From 1980 to 1981, Oscar Goodman was the president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He was also a member of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. This group helps bring visitors and events to Las Vegas.
Mayor of Las Vegas (1999–2011)
Elections and terms
On June 8, 1999, Oscar Goodman was elected mayor of Las Vegas. He won with 63.76% of the votes. In 2003, he was re-elected for a second term, winning with 85.72% of the votes. On April 3, 2007, he was re-elected for a third and final term, getting 83.69% of the votes.
Las Vegas has rules that limit mayors to a maximum of three terms. Because of this, Goodman could not run for mayor again in 2011. His wife, Carolyn Goodman, was elected to take his place as mayor in 2011.
Time as mayor
On June 28, 1999, Oscar Goodman became the first mayor of Las Vegas to have his picture on casino chips. The Four Queens Hotel and Casino in Downtown Las Vegas issued these special $5 and $25 chips. In 2006, the Four Queens also released a $200 silver coin with Goodman's image.
Goodman often spoke about wanting a Major League Baseball team to move to Las Vegas. In 2004, the city tried to get the Montreal Expos team to move there, but they ended up moving to Washington, D.C. Later that year, Goodman met with officials from the Florida Marlins. The Chicago White Sox also thought about moving, but they stayed in Chicago after getting special offers.
Goodman also worked to bring a National Football League team to Las Vegas. In 2006, he contacted the San Diego Chargers to see if they were interested in moving. He tried again in 2007. The Chargers eventually moved to Los Angeles. In 2017, while Carolyn Goodman was mayor, the Oakland Raiders did agree to move to Las Vegas.
In 2003, a local newspaper poll voted Goodman the “Least Effective Public Official.”
In July 2006, Goodman criticized a video game called Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas. He was concerned because the game showed terrorism in Las Vegas, and he thought it might harm the city's image. In 2009 and 2010, Goodman was upset by comments made by President Barack Obama about Las Vegas.
After being mayor
Oscar Goodman now works as a lawyer at Goodman Law Group. This law firm was started by his son, Ross C. Goodman.
His book, Being Oscar: From Mob Lawyer to Mayor of Las Vegas, was published in 2013. He wrote it with George Anastasia.
Thoughts on running for other offices
Goodman considered running for the U.S. Senate in 2006. He thought about seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Senator John Ensign. However, he decided not to run.
Goodman also thought about running for governor of Nevada in 2010 as an independent candidate. He decided not to run for governor. He said he wanted to stay close to his family and did not want to move to Carson City.
A Las Vegas writer, Dayvid Figler, wrote in 2009 that Goodman might become the first Jewish president of the United States.
See also
- List of mayors of Las Vegas, Nevada
