Paul Gosar

Paul Gosar – Life, Career, and Notable Statements

Paul Gosar (born November 27, 1958) is an American politician and former dentist serving as U.S. Representative from Arizona. Explore his background, political trajectory, policy stances, controversies, and notable quotes.

Introduction

Paul Anthony Gosar is an American politician and former dentist who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011. Representing districts in Arizona (currently the 9th, formerly the 4th and 1st), he is aligned with conservative and populist politics, and is known for his outspoken style and controversial statements. His career reflects the tensions in U.S. politics around immigration, federal power, and media accountability.

Early Life and Education

Paul Gosar was born on November 27, 1958, in Rock Springs, Wyoming. He is the eldest of ten children (seven sons and three daughters). His paternal grandparents were of Slovenian origin, and his maternal grandparents were Basque immigrants from a border region between France and Spain. He was raised in Pinedale, Wyoming, and graduated from Pinedale High School in 1977.

Gosar went on to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, earning a B.S. in 1981 and later a D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree in 1985. Before entering politics, he practiced dentistry in Flagstaff, Arizona (1989–2010). He was active in his professional community, serving as president of the Arizona Dental Association (2004–2005) and receiving recognition such as “Dentist of the Year.”

Political Career and Tenure

Entry into Congress

Gosar first ran for U.S. Congress in 2010, targeting Arizona’s 1st congressional district. He won the general election and took office on January 3, 2011. Due to redistricting, he later shifted to represent Arizona’s 4th district (2013–2023) and, beginning in 2023, represents Arizona’s 9th district.

Throughout his tenure, Gosar has positioned himself as a defender of limited government, constitutionalism, and strong border enforcement. His official biography states that he “believes that the Constitution is the cornerstone of our Republic” and that he aims to reduce government overreach.

Committee Assignments & Leadership

In Congress, Gosar has served on the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. In the 118th Congress, he chaired the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations under the Oversight Committee.

He is affiliated with a number of internal congressional caucuses, including the Freedom Caucus, Congressional Western Caucus, Constitution Caucus, Second Amendment Caucus, and others.

Policy Positions & Controversies

Immigration & Border

Gosar is a vocal opponent of illegal immigration. He has called for strict border security, supported construction of a border wall, and sponsored proposals to repeal birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. He has also accused immigration attorneys who aid undocumented persons of “facilitating crime.”

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Gosar identifies as pro-life. He cosponsored legislation to permanently restrict federal funding for abortions and expressed support for the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Climate & Science

Gosar has expressed skepticism regarding anthropogenic climate change. One of his well-publicized lines is:

“The earth’s climate has been changing since God created it, with or without man. On that, we should all agree.”
He has also clashed with religious authority on climate issues, stating he does not accept the Pope lecturing him on climate science.

Free Speech, Media & Governance

Gosar frequently frames his positions in terms of resisting federal regulatory overreach, defending individual liberties, and criticizing what he perceives as “woke ideology” and the weaponization of federal agencies.

He has also courted controversy for online actions. In November 2021, he posted an anime-style video on social media depicting a character bearing his face killing a character resembling Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking one resembling President Biden. In response, the House formally censured him and revoked his committee assignments—though when Republicans regained control of the House, some committee positions were reinstated.

Gosar has also been linked to events or messages associated with extremist figures. One instance: in 2022, he claimed a video appearance at an event hosted by white nationalist Nick Fuentes was due to a staff error.

He maintains a combative posture toward political adversaries, the press, and internal dissent—even within his own family, a notable example being that several of his siblings publicly endorsed his political opponents in recent election cycles.

Legacy & Influence

Paul Gosar is a figure whose legacy will likely be contentious. Some aspects worth noting:

• He embodies a strain of populist-conservative politics that emphasizes constitutional originalism, anti-establishment rhetoric, and resistance to federal authority.

• His tenure illustrates the growing overlap between social media, performative politics, and traditional legislative roles.

• His controversies, especially the 2021 video and ties to far-right actors, reflect how modern political dynamics test the boundaries of decorum, accountability, and institutional discipline in Congress.

• As a relatively long-serving representative, he wields influence in conservative circles, particularly among those who view him as unafraid to challenge norms.

Whether his approach ultimately strengthens or diminishes institutional respect, or fosters further polarization, is part of his evolving political legacy.

Notable Quotes

Here are some statements attributed to Paul Gosar that reflect his style, priorities, and controversies:

• “The earth’s climate has been changing since God created it, with or without man. On that, we should all agree.”

• “I don’t need to be lectured by the Pope about climate change.”

• “The consequences of Fast and Furious are higher crime and more deaths. I remain committed to seeing justice brought for Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry…”

• “We do not need more status quo.”

• “Perjury before Congress is perjury to the American people and an affront to the fundamental principles of our republic and the rule of law. Such behavior cannot be tolerated.”

• “If the Pope wants to devote his life to fighting climate change, then he can do so in his personal time. But to promote questionable science as Catholic dogma is ridiculous.”

Lessons & Reflections

From Paul Gosar’s career, some broader lessons emerge—for students of politics, governance, and public life:

1. Electoral base and messaging matter
   A strongly loyal base affords a degree of latitude for provocative rhetoric, but it can also alienate institutional colleagues, moderates, and the broader public.

2. Symbolic acts carry real consequences
   The 2021 video, though framed by Gosar as symbolic, triggered formal disciplinary action and public backlash. In politics, symbolic actions can have outsized institutional impact.

3. Institutional norms are under pressure
   Gosar’s career illustrates how traditional congressional norms—respect, decorum, mutual restraint—are being challenged in an era of polarization and social media.

4. Controversies and accountability
   Even powerful members are vulnerable to censure and reputational risk when crossing lines of decorum, legitimacy, or violence.

5. Legacy is still being written
   Because he remains in office, how Gosar adapts—or fails to—amid evolving political landscapes will greatly influence how history judges him.

Conclusion

Paul Gosar’s journey—from dentist to long-serving U.S. Representative—demonstrates how political identities are intertwined with ideology, media, and confrontational politics. With firm stances on immigration, limited government, and climate skepticism, he appeals to a segment of American conservatism that prizes boldness and defiance. At the same time, his controversies—from the 2021 video to ties with extremist figures—underscore how modern political life tests the balance between free speech, institutional norms, and accountability.