Tom Barrett (Michigan politician)

Thomas M. Barrett[1] (born April 30, 1981) is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan Senate from the 24th district. He previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019.[2][3] 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.

Tom Barrett
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 24th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2019
Preceded byRick Jones
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
Southfield, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Ashley Barrett
​
(m. 2008)​
EducationWestern Michigan University (BA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1999–2021
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

Early life and education

Barrett was born in Southfield, Michigan. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.[4]

Career

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 2021.[5][4]

Barrett was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2014, narrowly beating Democratic incumbent Theresa Abed.[6] 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%.[7]

Barrett has been a vocal critic of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's handing of the COVID-19 pandemic, and sponsored Senate Bill 858 in the state senate. This bill sought to regulate the governor's state of emergency powers, which she exercised in handling the pandemic.[8][9]

In November 2021, Barrett announced his candidacy in the 2022 election for Michigan's 7th congressional district.[10]

Personal life

Barrett lives in Charlotte, Michigan with his wife, Ashley, and their four children.[11]

References
  1. "Michigan Committee Statement of Organization". Michigan Secretary of State. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  2. "2014 Official Michigan General Election Results". Michigan.gov. State of Michigan. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  3. "Michigan 71st District State House Results: Tom Barrett Wins". Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  4. "Tom Barrett, District 71 - Michigan House Republicans". Michigan House Republicans. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  5. Holleman, Krystle (November 15, 2021). "Sen. Tom Barrett announces U.S. House campaign". WILX. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  6. "2014 Live Michigan election results: State House Districts 1-110". MLive.com. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  7. "2016 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/08/2016". miboecfr.nictusa.com. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  8. "Republican Michigan senator critical of Gretchen Whitmer tests positive for COVID-19". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  9. "State Senate mulling rare Saturday session to meet quarantine requirement after GOP senator tested positive". Mlive. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  10. Lehr, Sarah (15 November 2021). "Republican Tom Barrett launches bid for U.S. House in mid-Michigan". WKAR Public Media. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  11. "13 Jan 2019, A4 - Lansing State Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
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