Roy Barnes
Encyclopedia
Roy Eugene Barnes served as the 80th Governor of Georgia from January 1999 until January 2003. Barnes was also a candidate for Governor of Georgia in the 2010 election
.
In 2003, Barnes was awarded the Profile in Courage Award
by the John F. Kennedy Library
for his success while governor of minimizing the Confederate battle emblem on the Georgia state flag despite the political fallout. It is widely believed that his support of the flag change significantly contributed to his re-election defeat in 2002.
. His family owned a general store, which gave him his first exposure to politics as he listened to the conversations of the store patrons.
Upon his graduation from South Cobb High School
, Barnes enrolled at the University of Georgia
. He was active on the debate team and spent his summers returning home to work in the family store. He graduated with a degree in history in 1969 and one year later married Marie Dobbs of Marietta, Georgia
, with whom he has had three children. Roy and Marie currently have six grandchildren.
After college, Barnes enrolled in the University of Georgia School of Law
. While there, he was elected president of the student bar association and was named outstanding senior. He graduated from law school in 1972 with honors and returned to Cobb county
to work as a prosecutor in the Cobb County
District Attorney's Office
.
to the Georgia State Senate. Upon his election, Barnes became the youngest member of the Georgia Senate at age 26. Barnes went on to serve eight terms in the Georgia Senate.
After his second term, he was named floor leader to Governor Joe Frank Harris
and was appointed chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. During his tenure in the Georgia Senate, he also served on the Senate Appropriations, Rules, and Transportation committees, and had a major leadership role in rewriting the Georgia constitution
as chair of the Select Committee on Constitutional Revision.
. He faced Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young
and Lt. Governor
Zell Miller
in the Democratic Primary. Barnes was defeated by Miller, who later won the election
and became an ally of Barnes.
. He was appointed vice-chair of the Judiciary Committee and chair of the Subcommittee on General Law. During his tenure in the Georgia House, he also served on the Rules and Banks and Banking Committees.
Lewis Massey to win the Democratic primary. Running on the themes of education reform and health care reform, he defeated Republican
businessman Guy Millner
in the general election
with a victory of 53% to 44% to become the 80th Governor of Georgia.
The Democrats retained control of both houses of the legislature
and retained all but two state level offices (Republicans were elected Insurance Commissioner
and School Superintendent
).
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Barnes's tenure as governor was marked by accomplishment. In January 1999 after being elected Governor, Barnes’ first act of his new administration was to sign an order banning all lobbyist gifts to employees working in the executive branch. (AJC, 1/12/99). Roy Barnes also took executive action to change the flag of the state of Georgia, despite opposition from several vocal minority groups. The state flag had featured the Confederate battle emblem since 1956, the year the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum. His education reform measures included eliminating tenure for newly hired teachers and ending social promotion
by requiring students to pass a test before advancing to the next grade. He also set up Georgia's Child Advocate Office and signed the Terrell Peterson Act
to protect children at risk. He supported the building of the Northern Arc
, an outer perimeter north of Atlanta, which met with opposition from the locals. During most of his tenure, his former law partner, State Senator Charles B. Tanksley
served as his floor manager in the Georgia Senate
.
, the first Republican to be elected Governor of Georgia since Reconstruction.
According to Georgia Trend, "Democrat Roy Barnes was one of the most powerful governors in history. His nickname "King Roy" was an affectionate term accorded him by supporters because he knew how to pull the levers and make things happen in the legislature."
, and established a website outlining the rights of consumers: www.myconsumerrights.com.
by the John F. Kennedy Library
.
The state's highest court said the only plaintiff in the case, Rosalind Lake, a first-time voter after moving to Georgia, had photo identification that would have qualified her to vote in July of last year, so she did not have legal standing to file suit.
"Because Lake possesses a photo ID acceptable for in-person voting under the 2006 Act, once again, she lacks standing to challenge the Act as an unconstitutional restriction on her right to vote," Justice Harold Melton wrote in the five-page opinion.
Legislators passed the law in 2005. Previously, Georgians could show one of 17 forms of ID, including those without photos, such as utility bills, to check in at the polls. Supporters said it would increase voter confidence through a better verification process. Legislators revised the law and made it easier for people to get free photo cards for voting, but the rules were repeatedly barred from implementation until the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law in early 2008.
announced the forming of the Commission on No Child Left Behind
. Barnes, along with former Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson
, was named co-chair of the commission.
According to its mission, the commission "is a bipartisan effort to identify and build support for improvements in federal education policy to spur academic achievement and close persistent achievement gaps."
.
Barnes’ campaign, Roy 2010, emphasized growing jobs, securing water sources, improving education, and expanding transportation options.
Barnes won the 2010 Democratic Primary on July 20, 2010, so faced off against Republican
Nathan Deal
and Libertarian
John Monds
.
On November 2, 2010, Barnes conceded to Deal as the Republican rode a wave of GOP backing in the 2010 midterm elections
.
Georgia gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Republican Governor Sonny Perdue was term-limited and unable to seek re-election. Primary elections for the Republican and Democratic parties took place on July 20, with a Republican runoff on August 10. The...
.
In 2003, Barnes was awarded the Profile in Courage Award
Profile in Courage Award
The Profile in Courage Award is a private award given to recognize displays of courage similar to those John F. Kennedy described in his book Profiles in Courage...
by the John F. Kennedy Library
John F. Kennedy Library
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library and museum of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. It is located on Columbia Point in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, USA, next to the Boston campus of the University of...
for his success while governor of minimizing the Confederate battle emblem on the Georgia state flag despite the political fallout. It is widely believed that his support of the flag change significantly contributed to his re-election defeat in 2002.
Early life, education and family
Roy Barnes was born on March 11, 1948 in Mableton, GeorgiaMableton, Georgia
Mableton is a census-designated place in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a population of 37,115.It was named for Robert Mable, who in 1843 bought 300 acres of land on September 11...
. His family owned a general store, which gave him his first exposure to politics as he listened to the conversations of the store patrons.
Upon his graduation from South Cobb High School
South Cobb High School
South Cobb High School is a public high school located on Clay Road, in Austell, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1952, South Cobb High School is part of the Cobb County School District. On June 25, 2009, Ashley Hosey, the previous assistant principal at Kennesaw Mountain High School, succeeded...
, Barnes enrolled at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
. He was active on the debate team and spent his summers returning home to work in the family store. He graduated with a degree in history in 1969 and one year later married Marie Dobbs of Marietta, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs...
, with whom he has had three children. Roy and Marie currently have six grandchildren.
After college, Barnes enrolled in the University of Georgia School of Law
University of Georgia School of Law
The University of Georgia School of Law is a graduate school of the University of Georgia. Founded in 1859 and located in Athens, Georgia, USA, Georgia Law was formerly known as the Lumpkin School of Law. The Law School is the second oldest of the University's schools and colleges. The University...
. While there, he was elected president of the student bar association and was named outstanding senior. He graduated from law school in 1972 with honors and returned to Cobb county
Cobb County, Georgia
Cobb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat and largest city is Marietta, which is located in the center of the county. The county was named for Thomas Willis Cobb, who in the early 19th century was a United States representative and senator from Georgia...
to work as a prosecutor in the Cobb County
Cobb County, Georgia
Cobb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat and largest city is Marietta, which is located in the center of the county. The county was named for Thomas Willis Cobb, who in the early 19th century was a United States representative and senator from Georgia...
District Attorney's Office
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
.
Georgia Senate
Barnes’ political career began in 1974, when he was elected by the citizens of MabletonMableton, Georgia
Mableton is a census-designated place in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a population of 37,115.It was named for Robert Mable, who in 1843 bought 300 acres of land on September 11...
to the Georgia State Senate. Upon his election, Barnes became the youngest member of the Georgia Senate at age 26. Barnes went on to serve eight terms in the Georgia Senate.
After his second term, he was named floor leader to Governor Joe Frank Harris
Joe Frank Harris
Joe Frank Harris is an American conservative Democratic politician who served as the 78th Governor of the U.S. state of Georgia from 1983 to 1991....
and was appointed chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. During his tenure in the Georgia Senate, he also served on the Senate Appropriations, Rules, and Transportation committees, and had a major leadership role in rewriting the Georgia constitution
Georgia (U.S. state) Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Georgia is the governing document of the U.S. state of Georgia. The constitution outlines the three branches of government in Georgia. The legislative branch is embodied in the bicameral General Assembly. The executive branch is headed by the Governor. The judicial...
as chair of the Select Committee on Constitutional Revision.
1990 gubernatorial election
After eight terms in the Georgia Senate, Barnes entered the 1990 gubernatorial electionGeorgia gubernatorial election, 1990
The 1990 Georgia Gubernatorial Election was held on November 6, 1990. Lieutenant Governor of Georgia Zell Miller ran for Governor after incumbent Joe Frank Harris was term-limited, and defeated Johnny Isakson, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives.-Election results:-See also:*United...
. He faced Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young
Andrew Young
Andrew Jackson Young is an American politician, diplomat, activist and pastor from Georgia. He has served as Mayor of Atlanta, a Congressman from the 5th district, and United States Ambassador to the United Nations...
and Lt. Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
The Lieutenant Governor of Georgia is a constitutional officer of the state, elected to a 4-year term by popular vote. Unlike some states, the lieutenant governor is elected on a separate ticket from the state Governor....
Zell Miller
Zell Miller
Zell Bryan Miller is an American politician from the US state of Georgia. A Democrat, Miller served as Lieutenant Governor from 1975 to 1991, 79th Governor of Georgia from 1991 to 1999, and as United States Senator from 2000 to 2005....
in the Democratic Primary. Barnes was defeated by Miller, who later won the election
Georgia gubernatorial election, 1990
The 1990 Georgia Gubernatorial Election was held on November 6, 1990. Lieutenant Governor of Georgia Zell Miller ran for Governor after incumbent Joe Frank Harris was term-limited, and defeated Johnny Isakson, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives.-Election results:-See also:*United...
and became an ally of Barnes.
Georgia House of Representatives
Barnes returned to politics in 1992, when he was elected to the Georgia House of RepresentativesGeorgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
. He was appointed vice-chair of the Judiciary Committee and chair of the Subcommittee on General Law. During his tenure in the Georgia House, he also served on the Rules and Banks and Banking Committees.
1998 gubernatorial election
In 1998, Barnes ran for governor again, this time defeating Secretary of StateSecretary of state of Georgia
The secretary of state of the U.S. state of Georgia is an elected official with a wide variety of responsibilities, including supervising elections and maintaining public records....
Lewis Massey to win the Democratic primary. Running on the themes of education reform and health care reform, he defeated Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
businessman Guy Millner
Guy Millner
Guy W. Millner is an American multi-millionaire businessman who ran as a Republican for governor of Georgia in 1994, United States Senator from Georgia in 1996 and Governor of Georgia in 1998, losing all three races....
in the general election
Georgia gubernatorial election, 1998
The 1998 Georgia Gubernatorial Election was held on November 3, 1998. State Representative and former state Senator Roy Barnes won election for Governor after popular Incumbent Governor Zell Miller was term-limited. Barnes defeated Businessman Guy Millner in the latter's third and final campaign...
with a victory of 53% to 44% to become the 80th Governor of Georgia.
The Democrats retained control of both houses of the legislature
Georgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
and retained all but two state level offices (Republicans were elected Insurance Commissioner
Insurance commissioner
Insurance commissioner is an executive office in many U.S. states, some in the state cabinet. The office differs state by state:...
and School Superintendent
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
).
Record as Governor
Social promotion
Social promotion is the practice of promoting a student to the next grade despite their low achievement in order to keep them with social peers...
by requiring students to pass a test before advancing to the next grade. He also set up Georgia's Child Advocate Office and signed the Terrell Peterson Act
Terrell Peterson
Terrell Peterson was a five-year-old boy from Atlanta, Georgia who was tortured and beaten to death while his case was under active state supervision...
to protect children at risk. He supported the building of the Northern Arc
Outer Perimeter
The Outer Perimeter was an expressway originally planned to encircle Atlanta about 20 to 25 miles farther away from the city than the existing Perimeter Highway .-Planning:...
, an outer perimeter north of Atlanta, which met with opposition from the locals. During most of his tenure, his former law partner, State Senator Charles B. Tanksley
Charles B. Tanksley
Charles B. Tanksley is an American politician. He was a five-term member of the Georgia Senate, serving from 1995 to 2004 as a member of the United States Republican Party from the 32nd District in Cobb County, Georgia. He was elected to the Senate in a special election held in January,...
served as his floor manager in the Georgia Senate
Georgia Senate
The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly .-Composition:According to the state constitution of 1983, this body is to be composed of no more than 56 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 56 members...
.
2002 gubernatorial election
Facing re-election, he lost in an upset in November 2002 as part of a larger Republican midterm sweep. Although some commentators have pointed to the ire of voters opposing the flag change and his upsetting of teachers as leading to his defeat, the cause was finally attributed toward a strong shift to GOP within that election cycle across many offices in the State of Georgia, at that time. Barnes was defeated by Sonny PerdueSonny Perdue
George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III, was the 81st Governor of Georgia. Upon his inauguration in January 2003, he became the first Republican governor of Georgia since Benjamin F. Conley served during Reconstruction in the 1870s....
, the first Republican to be elected Governor of Georgia since Reconstruction.
According to Georgia Trend, "Democrat Roy Barnes was one of the most powerful governors in history. His nickname "King Roy" was an affectionate term accorded him by supporters because he knew how to pull the levers and make things happen in the legislature."
Return to legal career
Following his defeat, Barnes decided to lend his talents to Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc., working for six months as a full-time volunteer. During this time, he provided legal advice to indigent clients pro bonoPro bono
Pro bono publico is a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms...
, and established a website outlining the rights of consumers: www.myconsumerrights.com.
Profile in Courage Award
For his leadership in minimizing the Confederate battle emblem on the Georgia state flag despite the political fallout, Barnes was awarded the 2003 Profile in Courage AwardProfile in Courage Award
The Profile in Courage Award is a private award given to recognize displays of courage similar to those John F. Kennedy described in his book Profiles in Courage...
by the John F. Kennedy Library
John F. Kennedy Library
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library and museum of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. It is located on Columbia Point in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, USA, next to the Boston campus of the University of...
.
Barnes Law group
Upon completing his service at Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Barnes founded the Barnes Law Group with his daughter Allison Barnes Salter, son-in-law John Salter, and long-time law partner Charles Tanksley. The Barnes Law Group continues Barnes' private law practice which began in 1975 when he formed his first law firm.Georgia Supreme Court Rulings As Attorney
The Georgia Supreme Court on June 12, 2007 unanimously dismissed a legal challenge to the state's voter ID law. Former Gov. Roy Barnes, argued before the court that the voter ID law was unconstitutional because Ms. Lake the plaintiff and others did not have driver's licenses and were therefore excluded in a discriminatory manner.The state's highest court said the only plaintiff in the case, Rosalind Lake, a first-time voter after moving to Georgia, had photo identification that would have qualified her to vote in July of last year, so she did not have legal standing to file suit.
"Because Lake possesses a photo ID acceptable for in-person voting under the 2006 Act, once again, she lacks standing to challenge the Act as an unconstitutional restriction on her right to vote," Justice Harold Melton wrote in the five-page opinion.
Legislators passed the law in 2005. Previously, Georgians could show one of 17 forms of ID, including those without photos, such as utility bills, to check in at the polls. Supporters said it would increase voter confidence through a better verification process. Legislators revised the law and made it easier for people to get free photo cards for voting, but the rules were repeatedly barred from implementation until the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law in early 2008.
Aspen Institute Commission on No Child Left Behind
On February 14, 2006, the Aspen InstituteAspen Institute
The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1950 as the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies. The organization is dedicated to "fostering enlightened leadership, the appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on contemporary issues." The...
announced the forming of the Commission on No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
. Barnes, along with former Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Thomas George "Tommy" Thompson , a United States Republican politician, was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, after which he served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson was a candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, but dropped out early after a poor performance in polls...
, was named co-chair of the commission.
According to its mission, the commission "is a bipartisan effort to identify and build support for improvements in federal education policy to spur academic achievement and close persistent achievement gaps."
2010 gubernatorial election
Barnes announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Georgia in the 2010 election on June 3, 2009 in his hometown of Marietta, GeorgiaMarietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs...
.
Barnes’ campaign, Roy 2010, emphasized growing jobs, securing water sources, improving education, and expanding transportation options.
Barnes won the 2010 Democratic Primary on July 20, 2010, so faced off against Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Nathan Deal
Nathan Deal
John Nathan Deal is a United States politician, the 82nd and current Governor of Georgia. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1992 but switched to the Republican Party in 1995...
and Libertarian
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
John Monds
John Monds
John Monds is an American activist and politician. He became the first Libertarian Party candidate in Georgia and the rest of the United States to receive over 1,000,000 votes, when he ran for the Statewide office of Public Service Commission District 1 seat in 2008. Monds received 1,076,726 votes...
.
On November 2, 2010, Barnes conceded to Deal as the Republican rode a wave of GOP backing in the 2010 midterm elections
United States elections, 2010
The 2010 United States elections were held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. During this midterm election year, all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives and 37 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate were contested in this election along with 38 state and territorial...
.
Electoral history
External links
- Roy Barnes for Governor official campaign site
- Barnes Law Group
- Roy Barnes at the New Georgia EncyclopediaNew Georgia EncyclopediaThe New Georgia Encyclopedia is a web-based encyclopedia containing over 2,000 articles about the state of Georgia.The Georgia Humanities Council, the Office of the Governor of Georgia, the University of Georgia Press, and the University System of Georgia/GALILEO have collaborated in the funding...
- Lawmakers Flashbacks at Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting is the public broadcasting radio and television state network in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is operated by the Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission....
- Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy LibraryJohn F. Kennedy LibraryThe John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library and museum of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. It is located on Columbia Point in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, USA, next to the Boston campus of the University of...
- Commission on No Child Left Behind at the Aspen InstituteAspen InstituteThe Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1950 as the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies. The organization is dedicated to "fostering enlightened leadership, the appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on contemporary issues." The...