Coming to PALC on May 18, 2026

United States Congressman (Retired)

Louie Gohmert was first sworn in on January 4, 2005, to serve as U.S. Congressman for the First District of Texas which encompasses more than 12 counties stretching nearly 120 miles down the state’s eastern border with Louisiana.  He retired in 2023 after serving nine terms.

As the recipient of numerous awards such as Endowment for Middle East Truth’s “Speaker of the Truth Award” and Freedom Works’ “Freedom Fighter Award” Louie passionately speaks on the issues he and most of us hold dearest. He is an unapologetic warrior for our most cherished freedoms which are under attack and some are even being marginalized and diminished.

He has not only been sought as a keynote speaker all over the U.S., but has been an invited speaker at Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England, as well as other countries. After the Obama administration condemned the largest peaceful demonstration in the history of the world in Egypt in June of 2013 which resulted in the ouster of Pres. Morsi who was maneuvering toward a dictatorship, some American leaders demanded the Muslim Brotherhood dictator be put back in office where he had seized so much power, but Louie became the first and most public elected US official to commend the Egyptians and making him an Egyptian populist hero, earning an award from the Chamber of Commerce in Cairo.

He is a staunch advocate for the U.S. being the best friend Israel could have in the world as an acknowledged friend of Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Louie was a tireless advocate on the House Floor, all over east Texas and the nation, as well as in the national and international media on many critical issues. These included not only the necessity to fight terrorism from its most prominent source, radical Islam, but also promoting the preservation of U.S. Constitutional authority, freedoms of religion and speech, state’s rights, 2nd amendment rights, and all those rights most of us hold dearest.

Louie is a bold defender of America’s founding principles and is constantly coming up with big, innovative ideas solidly based on conservative principles and the ideals that has served as this nation’s bedrock since birth.

Louie Gohmert served on the House Judiciary Committee, playing a vital role on the Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee, as well as, the Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Subcommittee. He was also a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, where he served as the Vice Ranking Member of the whole committee. He also served on the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee, as well as the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

Prior to being elected to serve in Congress, Louie was elected to three terms as District Judge in Smith County, Texas. During his tenure on the bench, he gained national and international attention for some of his innovative rulings. He was later appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to complete a term as the Chief Justice of the 12th Court of Appeals.

Louie received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University where he acquired a four year active duty commitment to the Army from an Army scholarship, and where he was Brigade Commander in the Corps while also serving as Class President for both Corps and Civilian students. He later graduated from Baylor School of Law where he was also Class President, President of the Moot Court Society, and won a number of awards including an award for his Law Review Article on torts. He is also a veteran having served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Army.

He and his wife Kathy are the proud parents of three daughters. Their family attends Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, where Louie has served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years. He now frequently speaks or preaches at churches throughout his district and around the country.

 

Interviewer Jennifer Stoddard Hajdu

ATTORNEY, FORMER CHAIR, DALLAS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY, DCCRW PRESIDENT

Jennifer Stoddard Hajdu’s experience is extensive from briefing attorney to the Honorable Justice John Ovard, 1991-1992, Fifth District Court of Appeals – Dallas, TX, Researched and wrote appellate briefs; research and analyze writs and mandamus petitions to partner/associate, 1992-2007 Blume & Stoddard, PLLC, Dallas, TX.  She was the Founding & Managing partner, 2007-2010 of Stoddard Northam, PLLC – Dallas, TX, where she excelled in Corporate & Business Law; Transactions; Litigation, Arbitration & Appeals. Jennifer was also and currently remaining the founding and managing partner, May 2010 – Present Stoddard Law, PLLC, Dallas, TX, concentrating on Corporate & Business Law; Transactions; Litigation, Arbitration & Appeals.

Jennifer’s background includes, Corporate & Business Legal Issues, Real Estate Negotiation & Asset Management, Contract Negotiation & Management Litigation Analysis & Management, Risk Mitigation, Assessment & Management Employment Law, Corporate Reorganization General Counsel Advice. Her areas of expertise include corporate, finance, and business law, contract negotiation and drafting, litigation and case management, corporation organization, reorganization, strategic planning and management, real estate transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.

Jennifer has been a leading voice and led one of the largest county parties in the country as the Chairman, August 2021 – June 2024, Dallas County Republican Party “DCRP”, Dallas, TX.

EDUCATION, LICENSURE, PHILANTHROPIC

Juris Doctor, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 1991

Bachelor of Science in Journalism, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 1988

Licenses, State Bar of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas & Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Executive Women of Dallas, 2009 – 2023, Board Member, Past President, Northwood Women’s Club Philanthropy, 2009 – 2022, Dallas County Council of Republican Women – Friends Member, Park Cities Republican Women – Friends Member, Preston West Republican Women – Friends Member