About John McGoff

John McGoff | The Original Challenger to Dan Burton

In May of 2008 Dr. John McGoff surprised all the political pundits by garnering 45% of the vote in Indiana’s Fifth Congressional District Primary Race and nearly unseating a 13-term incumbent Congressman. Defying conventional wisdom, and being outspent by over a 5:1 margin, Dr. McGoff took his case to the people of the District. Many believe that if the media-charged Democratic Presidential nomination had been decided before the Indiana Primary, Dr. McGoff would have pulled one of the biggest political upsets in Indiana history, and would be a member of Congress today!

The voters of the Fifth District are still clamoring for a change in who represents their interests in Washington, D.C.  And, just like during the last election, the voters are speaking and Dr. McGoff is listening. On May 19, of this year, Dr. McGoff announced that he is one again a candidate for Congress.

Education

After attending St. Pius X Catholic School with his five brother and sisters, he graduated from North Central High School in 1977. Dr. McGoff graduated from Indiana University in 1980 with a degree in biology and then enrolled into the IU School of Medicine. Upon completion of medical school in 1984, he performed his post-graduate residency in Emergency Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Military

Dr. McGoff has a long and distinguished career in the Air Force National Guard. He is recently returning from deployment in Iraq from October 2008 thru January 2009.  He began his military career when he joined the Medical Officer Training Corps with the Indiana National Guard during his third year of medical school. He has continued serving in the National Guard for 27 years and holds the rank of Colonel. In May of this year, Dr. McGoff was recommended to, and received approval from the United States Senate to be promoted to the rank of General when his current position of Air National Guard Assistant to the United States Air Force Surgeon General at European Headquarters is complete. He is a decorated Iraq War Veteran and has logged over 600 hours of flight time in many aircrafts, including the F-16 and F-4 fighters. He is an Air War College Graduate and his decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and many others.

Professional

After finishing his residency at Philadelphia’s Thomas Jefferson University in 1987, Dr. McGoff returned to Indianapolis and began working in the Emergency Room at Community Hospital, where he has been Chairman of the ER department for many years. During his career he has treated tens of thousands of patients from many different backgrounds.

Civic

In addition to his roles as a father, husband, physician and military officer, Dr. McGoff remains an active member of the community in many other ways. McGoff has served on a variety of national, state and local boards including the Board of Directors for Community Hospitals, the Marion County Forensic Science Commission, the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization, and the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Political

Dr. McGoff is a long time activist in Republican politics in Marion County, starting as a precinct committeemen, ward chairman, and alternate delegate for the Republican National Convention on two occasions. In 1996, he was elected Marion County Coroner and served two terms. During which time he was responsible for reorganizing how the Coroner’s office functioned; improved its efficiency in working with the various law agencies that relied on its work; and introducing data automation to the office.  In 2004, he served Governor Mitch Daniels as a healthcare policy advisor for his campaign, and as a member of the Indiana Department of Health Transition Team following Daniels’ victory. Most recently, in May 2008, he won over 45% of the vote in the Republican Fifth Congressional Primary, becoming the closest challenger in history to nearly unseating a thirteen-term incumbent Congressman.

Personal

While working at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Dr. McGoff met his wife Karen. They have been married for over 25 years and have a 15-year-old daughter, Ava.  Like her father, Ava also attends St. Pius X. In his spare time, John enjoys reading, traveling and exercising.