Tom Barrett (Michigan politician)

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Tom Barrett
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 24th district
In office
January 1, 2019 – January 1, 2023
Preceded byRick Jones
Succeeded byRuth Johnson
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 71st district
In office
January 1, 2015 – January 1, 2019
Preceded byTheresa Abed
Succeeded byAngela Witwer
Personal details
Born (1981-04-30) April 30, 1981 (age 43)
Southfield, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Ashley Barrett
​
(m. 2008)​
EducationWestern Michigan University (BA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1999–2022
RankChief Warrant Officer 2
UnitCompany B, 1-112th Aviation, 3-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, Grand Ledge
Michigan Army National Guard
Battles/warsOperation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom

Thomas More Barrett[1] (born April 30, 1981) is an American politician and election denier[2] who served as a member of the Michigan Senate from the 24th district. A Republican, he previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019.[3][4]

Prior to his election to the House, Barrett served as a liaison between the Michigan Department of Treasury and the office of the Governor of Michigan.[citation needed] Barrett was the Republican nominee in the 2022 election for Michigan's 7th congressional district, which he lost to incumbent Democrat Elissa Slotkin.

Early life and education[edit]

Barrett was born in Southfield, Michigan. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.[5]

U.S. Army[edit]

After graduating from high school, Barrett joined the Army, where he served for 21 years. He served abroad in South Korea, Guantanamo Bay, Kuwait, and Iraq, and is a veteran of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served in the Michigan Army National Guard, holding the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2, until retiring in 2022.[6][5]

Political career[edit]

Michigan House of Representatives (2014–2019)[edit]

Barrett was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2014, narrowly beating Democratic incumbent Theresa Abed.[7] He won re-election in 2016, defeating Theresa Abed in a rematch. Barrett garnered 54% of the vote to Abed's 43% and Libertarian Marc Lord's 3%.[8]

Michigan Senate (2019–present)[edit]

Barrett was elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018, and currently chairs the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.[9]

Barrett was a vocal critic of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and sponsored Senate Bill 858 to regulate the governor's state of emergency powers, which the governor vetoed in May 2020.[10][11]

Barrett was one of eleven state senators to sign a letter to Congress requesting, in January 2021, an "objective and transparent investigation into credible allegations of misconduct" in the 2020 presidential election.[12][13] In September 2022, Barrett said that the legitimacy of the 2020 election is "unknowable".[14][15]

2022 U.S. House election[edit]

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 7

In November 2021, Barrett announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2022 election for Michigan's 7th congressional district.[16] He won the Republican primary in August 2022, but lost to Democratic incumbent Elissa Slotkin in the November general election,[17] receiving 46% of the vote to her 52%.[18]

Bridge Michigan reported that, as of October 12, 2022, this was the most costly congressional election in the U.S.[19] By November 4, over $36 million had been spent by both campaigns.[18]

2024 U.S. House election[edit]

Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 7

Barrett is running again for election in 2024 for the same district.

Personal life[edit]

Barrett lives in Charlotte, Michigan, with his wife, Ashley, and their four children.[20]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "No. 72, State of Michigan Journal of the House of Representatives, 99th Legislature, Regular Session of 2018". November 28, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  2. ^ Sources describing Barrett as an election denier include:
  3. ^ "7th District: Q and A with Elissa Slotkin and Tom Barrett". The Oakland Press. October 2, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  4. ^ "Michigan 71st District State House Results: Tom Barrett Wins". The New York Times. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Tom Barrett, District 71 - Michigan House Republicans". June 25, 2018. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  6. ^ Holleman, Krystle (November 15, 2021). "Sen. Tom Barrett announces U.S. House campaign". WILX. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  7. ^ "2014 Live Michigan election results: State House Districts 1-110". MLive.com. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  8. ^ "2016 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/08/2016". miboecfr.nictusa.com. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  9. ^ "Michigan's race for Congress: Tom Barrett v. Elissa Slotkin in 7th District | Bridge Michigan". www.bridgemi.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  10. ^ "Republican Michigan senator critical of Gretchen Whitmer tests positive for COVID-19". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  11. ^ "State Senate mulling rare Saturday session to meet quarantine requirement after GOP senator tested positive". Mlive. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  12. ^ Breuninger, Kevin (October 27, 2022). "GOP Rep. Liz Cheney backs Rep. Elissa Slotkin in tight Michigan House race in her first endorsement of a Democrat". CNBC. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  13. ^ Mauger, Craig. "Michigan GOP senators briefly post differing letters to Congress on election claims". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  14. ^ Lillis, Mike (November 6, 2022). "Liz Cheney makes waves on her way out of Congress". The Hill. Nexstar Media Inc. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  15. ^ "Will Michigan candidates accept the results of the 2022 election? Here's what they said". WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit. September 27, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  16. ^ Lehr, Sarah (November 15, 2021). "Republican Tom Barrett launches bid for U.S. House in mid-Michigan". WKAR Public Media. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  17. ^ Orner, Ben (August 3, 2022). "Slotkin, Barrett advance to November in tossup Michigan congressional race". mlive. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Burr, Alyssa; Miller, Matthew (November 9, 2022). "Slotkin wins tight race in the 7th Congressional District". mlive. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  19. ^ "Slotkin-Barrett race draws big money, interest with Congress up for grabs | Bridge Michigan". www.bridgemi.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  20. ^ "13 Jan 2019, A4 - Lansing State Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved April 23, 2022.

External links[edit]

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