John Barrow (American politician)

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In 2004, Barrow entered the Democratic primary for Georgia's 12th District. The 12th had been one of the districts Georgia gained as a result of the 2000 United States Census, and stretched from Athens to Augusta. The district, with its 40% African-American population, had supposedly been drawn for a Democrat. However, Republican college professor Max Burns had unexpectedly won the seat in 2002 because of ethical questions surrounding the Charles "Champ" Walker, Jr., the Democratic nominee that year. This time, however, Barrow won a four-way primary and went on to defeat Burns by 52% to 48%.

2006

At the same time Barrow was elected, the Republicans won control of both houses of the Georgia state legislature for the first time since Reconstruction. One of their first acts was a rare mid-decade redistricting that targeted Barrow and the other white Democrat in the Georgia delegation, Jim Marshall. One proposed map, seriously considered, would have drawn his home in Athens into the heavily Republican 9th District of seven-term incumbent Nathan Deal, while throwing the other half of Athens into the equally Republican 10th District of six-term incumbent Charlie Norwood.

The final plan was somewhat less draconian, but shifted all of Athens to the 10th District. Rather than face certain defeat, Barrow moved from his ancestral home of Athens to Savannah in the newly redrawn 12th. The new 12th was slightly less Democratic than its predecessor. It now included several Republican-leaning Savannah suburbs that had previously been in the heavily Republican 1st District. Barrow faced Burns in the general election and won by only 864 votes — the narrowest margin of any Democratic incumbent nationwide. However, he trounced Burns in Chatham and Richmond counties — home to Democratic-leaning Savannah and Augusta, respectively (as well as more than half the district's population) — by a total of over 17,000 votes.

Barrow's 2006 candidacy faced not only the mid-decade redistricting but also two visits by President George W. Bush to the district, campaigning by national figures on behalf of Burns (including RNC Chair Ken Mehlman and U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert) and popular Governor Sonny Perdue's reelection bid.

2008

In the 2008 election, Barrow faced a primary challenge from state Senator Regina Thomas, who represents a majority-black district in Savannah. [12] Barrow won the Democratic nomination with 76% of the vote over Thomas with 24% of the vote, 96% of the precincts reporting. [13] He easily defeated his Republican challenger, former congressional aide John Stone, with 66% percent of the vote. [14]

Support for Obama

Barrow aligned himself closely with Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential primary. He endorsed Obama months before he won enough delegates to clinch the nomination. Obama reciprocated by recording a sixty-second radio advertisement for Barrow, who was in a contested primary. Obama said, "We're going to need John Barrow back in Congress to help change Washington and get our country back on track." It was the first time Obama got involved with a Georgia election. Barrow later touted his supported from Obama in a direct-mail piece that said he works "hand-in-hand" with Obama. [15]

2010

Barrow won re-election defeating Republican nominee Ray McKinney 57%-43%. [16]

Augusta Chronicle editorial

In a 2010 editorial, the Augusta Chronicle called John Barrow "perhaps the most shameless, duplicitous, self-serving politician of his era." The editorial was written after it was discovered that he sent two diametrically opposed mailers to voters in his district - one saying he works "hand in hand" with President Obama, and another saying he "stood up" to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In closing, the editorial stated: "That Mr. Barrow is two-faced has been revealed by his own hand. Why voters would reward that kind of disingenuous condescension is beyond us." [15]

2012

Following the 2010 census, the Republican-controlled state legislature significantly altered the 12th. It lost its share of Savannah, while gaining all of Augusta and most of its suburbs. However, a number of heavily Republican areas near Savannah remained in the 12th. On paper, the reconfigured 12th was strongly Republican; had it existed in 2008, John McCain would have carried it with 58 percent of the vote. By comparison, Barack Obama carried the old 12th with 54 percent of the vote. Since Barrow's home in Savannah was drawn into Jack Kingston's 1st district, he moved to Augusta in the reconfigured 12th and sought election there.

In April 2011, the National Journal named Barrow one of the ten most endangered Democrats. [17] However, in the general election, Barrow managed to defeat Republican state Representative Lee Anderson 54%-46%. According to an editorial in the Augusta Chronicle , this was mainly because Anderson was almost invisible during the campaign; notably, he never debated Barrow. [18] Mitt Romney won the district with 55 percent of the vote.

2014

In the 2014 Democratic primaries, Barrow went unopposed. Republican Rick W. Allen defeated John Barrow in the November 2014 elections by 55%-45%.

2018

While considered to be a potential candidate for Governor of Georgia in the 2018 election, Barrow decided instead to pursue the office of Georgia Secretary of State. He announced his candidacy on September 24, 2017 [19] [20] and won the Democratic primary. [21] Neither Barrow nor his Republican opponent, Brad Raffensperger, received 50% of the vote in the 2018 general election, so a run-off election was held. In that election, Barrow lost by approximately 57,000 votes. [22]

2020

In 2019, Barrow announced his intention to run for a seat on the Supreme Court of Georgia. [23] The election was controversially canceled by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger after outgoing Justice Keith R. Blackwell announced his intention to resign from his position before his term was complete. Blackwell's decision allowed Governor Brian Kemp to appoint a successor, which Kemp argued rendered an election unnecessary. Barrow sued in state court to force an election, but Raffensperger's decision to cancel the election was upheld by the state Supreme Court in a 6–2 vote. [24]

2024

Final results by county: Pinson .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Barrow 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Tie 50% 2024 GA Supreme Court (Pinson seat) election.svg
Final results by county:
Pinson
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Barrow
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Tie
  •   50%

On May 21, 2024, John Barrow lost the Georgia Supreme Court election against sitting Justice Andrew Pinson by a 10 point margin. [5]

Political views

Barrow is a Blue Dog Democrat [25] as well as a member of the New Democrat Coalition. [26] Based on Barrow's bill sponsorship, the GovTrack website had classified him as a centrist Democrat. [27] Following the defeat of fellow Georgia Democrat Jim Marshall in 2010, he was the only white Democratic congressman from the Deep South. [28]

Barrow got a 75% rating from the NAACP, which indicates a "mixed record" on civil rights; 83% from U.S. Border Control, indicating a "sealed-border stance"; 25% from Americans United for Separation of Church and State, indicating a "mixed record on church-state separation"; 0% from Citizens for Tax Justice, indicating opposition to progressive tax structure; 100% from the Campaign for America's Future, indicating support for energy independence; -10 from NORML, indicating a "hard-on-drugs" stance; 36% from the National Right to Life Committee, indicating a mixed record on abortion. [29]

Abortion

Barrow has a mixed record on abortion. In 2005, Barrow voted for the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. [30] The legislation would have punished any individual who helped transport a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion without receiving proper parental consent. [31] He was one of 54 Democrats to support the measure, which was not enacted.

NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Barrow a 100% rating in 2013, citing his votes against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and legislation intended to make it easier for insurance providers to deny birth control. [32]

While campaigning for a seat on the Supreme Court of Georgia in 2024, Barrow said, "I believe that abortion rights are protected by the Georgia Constitution, and I believe the federal Constitution allows me to say that." [33]

Gun rights

In 2012, Barrow aired an ad that touted his support for the Second Amendment. The spot featured Barrow displaying his own weapons and pledging that "ain't nobody gonna take them away." [34]

Barrow ran for reelection in 2014 with the endorsement of the NRA Political Victory Fund, which praised him for standing "strong against the Obama-Bloomberg gun control agenda." [35] [36]

Healthcare

Barrow voted against both the first and final drafts of the Affordable Care Act. He argued that the legislation put "too much of the burden of paying for it on working folks who are already being overcharged" and expressed concerns that the bill would "overwhelm" Medicaid. [37]

LGBT rights

Barrow was one of 34 Democrats to vote for the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006, which sought to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. [38] Four years later, he voted for the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which allowed LGBT Americans to serve openly in the United States Armed Forces. [39]

Stimulus spending

Barrow voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. [40] He was one of 44 Democrats in the House to vote against the American Clean Energy and Security Act, also known as the cap and trade bill. [41]

Intellectual property

In 2011, Rep. Barrow became a co-sponsor of Bill H.R.3261 otherwise known as the Stop Online Piracy Act. [42]

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References

  1. ↑ Wasserman, David (October 24, 2014). "Final Rundown: Vulnerable Democratic Incumbents". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  2. ↑ Bynum, Russ (April 5, 2012). "Rep. John Barrow buys Augusta home". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  3. ↑ Davis, Janel (November 4, 2014). "Barrow falls in Georgia's most-watched congressional race". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  4. ↑ Niesse, Mark (December 5, 2018). "Barrow concedes to Raffensperger in Georgia secretary of state race". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Edelman, Adam (May 21, 2024). "GOP-backed Georgia Supreme Court justice fends off challenge from Democratic former congressman". NBC News. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  6. ↑ 1. John Barrow RootsWeb
  7. ↑ "Former Rep. John Barrow - D Georgia, 12th, Defeated - Biography | LegiStorm".
  8. ↑ "Representative Barrow's Legislation". Library of Congress. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Small Business Health Care Tax Credit for Small Employers". irs.gov. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  10. ↑ Benfield, Jillian (March 21, 2012). "Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Laid to Rest". WJBF . Archived from the original on November 23, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Overview of the SHOP Marketplace". healthcare.gov. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  12. ↑ Wilson, Reid (July 15, 2008). "Georgia On Voters' Minds". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  13. ↑ "2008 Georgia primary election results". WTOC. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  14. ↑ Georgia: Election Results 2008 The New York Times, December 9, 2008
  15. 1 2 Editorial Staff (November 1, 2010). "The two faces of John Barrow: Congressman peddling different messages to unsuspecting voters". August Chronicle. Augusta, Georgia.
  16. ↑ "GA - District 12 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  17. ↑ Wasserman, David. "Top 10 Most Endangered Democrats". National Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  18. ↑ Bottom Line: Lee Anderson's campaign (Editorial) Augusta Chronicle, November 8, 2012
  19. ↑ Evans, Randy (November 13, 2015). "2018 Gubernatorial Candidates in the Making". InsiderAdvantage. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  20. ↑ Bluestein, Greg (September 25, 2017). "John Barrow aims for comeback with bid for Georgia secretary of state". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  21. ↑ Niesse, Mark (May 22, 2018). "Georgia secretary of state election: Raffensperger, Belle Isle and Barrow advance". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  22. ↑ Mark Niesse (December 5, 2018). "Barrow concedes to Raffensperger in Georgia secretary of state race". Politically Georgia - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  23. ↑ McCord, Susan (April 29, 2019). "Barrow running for state Supreme Court". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  24. ↑ Williams, Ross (May 15, 2020). "Ga. Supreme Court rejects bid to force election to replace outgoing justice". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Blue Dog Membership". Blue Dog Coalition. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  26. ↑ "The NewDemPAC". New Democrat Coalition. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Rep. John Barrow". Civic Impulse. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  28. ↑ Hirschhorn, Dan (August 22, 2011). "Georgia redistricting plan imperils John Barrow". Politico. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Georgia House John Barrow". On the Issues. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  30. ↑ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 144". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  31. ↑ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (April 28, 2005). "House Passes Bill Tightening Parental Rule for Abortions". The New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  32. ↑ "2013 Congressional Record on Choice" (PDF). NARAL Pro-Choice America. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  33. ↑ Nolin, Jill (May 17, 2024). "Former Democratic congressman pledges support for abortion rights in Georgia Supreme Court bid". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  34. ↑ Brandt, John (October 16, 2012). "New Dem ad: 'Ain't nobody gonna take' my guns away". Fox News. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  35. ↑ "NRA-PVF | Grades | Georgia". NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  36. ↑ Joseph, Cameron (September 23, 2014). "NRA endorses Georgia House Dem". The Hill. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  37. ↑ Peterson, Larry (March 20, 2010). "U.S. Rep. John Barrow will vote against Obama's health care bill". Savannah Now. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 378". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 638". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Voting Record". The Political Guide. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  41. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (June 26, 2009). "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 477, American Clean Energy and Security Act".
  42. ↑ Bill H.R.3261; GovTrack.us;
John Barrow
John Barrow Official Headshot.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Georgia's 12th district
In office
January 3, 2005 –January 3, 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Georgia's 12th congressional district
2005–2015		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Policy
2011–2013
Served alongside: Heath Shuler (Administration), Mike Ross (Communications)		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration
2013–2015
Served alongside: Kurt Schrader (Communications), Jim Cooper (Policy)		Succeeded by
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Secretary of State of Georgia
2018 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
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