[3] Goodwin made his first bid for public office in 2014, running for Wisconsin State Assembly in a challenge against incumbent Democrat Fred Kessler, but failed to make the ballot.
[7] In seeking re-election in 2022, Goodwin failed to collect enough valid signatures to appear on the ballot for county board.
[11] In December 2022, Goodwin announced a run for Milwaukee Common Council, to succeed Chantia Lewis who had been removed from office as part of a plea agreement.
[15] In early 2024, state representative LaKeshia Myers, who had succeeded Fred Kessler in the 12th Assembly district, announced she would forgo re-election in order to run for Wisconsin Senate.
Goodwin announced he would seek the Democratic Party's nomination to succeed Myers in the State Assembly.
[17] In the general election, Goodwin faced a rematch with his 2022 county board opponent, Deanna Alexander, who was running as an independent.