Heath Barnes to run for Congress

(7/15) Congressman David Trone’ decision to seek the Senate seat of retiring Senator Ben Cardin has set off a scribble to fill his seat. While former County Executive Jan Gardener has hinted that she may run on the Democratic ticket, Woodsboro’s Burgess Heath Barnes left no doubt about his attention when he told those in attendance at the conclusion of July Town Council meeting that he has filed to run as a Republican. Come next year, if we are lucky, we may have two Frederick residents as finalists for the seat.

Heath was raised in a small farming community in Southwest Missouri, the grandson of two Army Veterans, one who was also a dairy farmer and the other a special education teacher. Heath moved to Woodsboro several years ago where he met his spouse, who is a Woodsboro native stemming back ten generations.

Heath’s said the number one reason for running is to help people who are being left behind by today’s economy. "More people than ever are having to work a second job just to make ends meet. This has a trickle-down effect; it means children are raising themselves oftentimes as parents are having to work even more to make ends meet. I can relate to this. At the age of 16, I found myself living on my own after my parents divorced. I helped to guide my younger siblings while still finishing High School and working."

"At the age of 22 I decided to put myself through college. I did it on my own with student loans that I am paying off myself. My biggest struggle came at the end of 2007 when I was completing my degree and could not afford to re-sign my lease. I was in Louisiana; everyone I knew was back in Missouri. I spent the last three weeks living in my truck to finish my degree.

"I wasn’t born financially independent. I know what it's like to work hard and be on the bottom. America is the country of opportunity, and I am proof of it."

Prior to making his announcement, Barnes resigned as the 2nd Vice Chair of the Maryland GOP. "Ethics are important to me," he said, "so I resigned to ensure there would be no conflict of interest where I would have behind-the-scenes information about my fellow candidates."

Besides being Burgess of Woodsboro, Heath is an active member of the Woodsboro Evangelical Lutheran Church, the American Legion, the Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Department, the Glade Valley Lions Club, and Frederick County Farm Bureau. "Community and family are very important, and I try to give back as often as I can through these organizations," Barnes said.

When not serving the community, Barnes serves as the Human Resources manager for a private company. "This experience of helping and working with people of all backgrounds will benefit me as your next congressman," he said.

Barnes made it clear that even thought he will be campaigning; he was not going to leave the town in a bind. "My main priorities right now are completing actions I’ve started – like building the new town hall." To learn more about Heath visit heathbarnesforcongress.com