Hurley Goodall | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Indiana House of Representatives | |
| In office November 21, 1978 – 1992 | |
| Preceded by | Leo Voisard (38th district) |
| Succeeded by | Frederick Wenger (34th district) |
| Constituency | 38th (1978–1982) 34th (1982–1992) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hurley Charles Goodall Jr. May 23, 1927 Muncie, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | May 12, 2021 (aged 93) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Fredine Wynn |
| Children | 2 |
Hurley Charles Goodall Jr. (May 23, 1927 – May 12, 2021) was an American author, historian, and politician who served in the Indiana House of Representatives from the 38th district as a member of the Democratic Party from 1978 to 1992. Prior to his tenure in the state legislature he was active in local politics and served on the school board in Muncie, Indiana.
Goodall was born in Muncie, and his family relied on welfare due to the death of his father and his brother's polio. He graduated from Muncie Central High School and served in the United States Army for two years. He was active in his local UAW-CIO where he served as its recording secretary and vice-president. He was the first black firefighter in Muncie, served on the city's Human Rights Commission, and was the first and only black member of the Muncie school board until 1993. Goodall was active in city council, county sheriff, and mayoral campaigns.
He was an active member of the Democratic Party and served as the secretary of the Indiana Democratic Party from 1989 to 2004. He formed an organization to work against the reelection of Senator Vance Hartke, served on Birch Bayh's senatorial steering committee in Delaware County, and chaired Baron Hill's senatorial campaign. Goodall served as a delegate to four Democratic National Conventions.
Goodall was elected to the state house in the 1978 election and was served until his retirement during the 1992 election. During his tenure in the state house he was a ranking member on the Labor and Public Safety committees, and served as the assistant Democratic floor leader. He ran for the position of majority floor leader, but was defeated by John R. Gregg. He aided in the foundation of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus and served as its first chair until his retirement from the state house. During his life he authored multiple books on black history and worked on the editorial board of The Star Press before his death in 2021.