John S. "Jack" Barnes Jr.
Candidate for the Office of Vice-President of the United States
By: Tessa Schraven
Party: Republican
As the 2008 presidential election approaches, citizens can be sure to hear the words of republican Senator John S. “Jack” Barnes Jr. throughout New Hampshire. His background experience as a politician, a business owner and a member of the
army has given him wisdom that he wishes to speak about.
“It (the election) gave me the opportunity to run and I’m going to be on the ballot in New Hampshire,” Barnes says. “And it goes into the history books and my grandchildren can tell their children. And I did it to get my thoughts off my chest.”
Growing up, Barnes was exposed to politics at a young age. His parents were constantly talking about them and he says he lived in a “political house.” Talking about it at the dinner became second-nature to him and only ignited his interest.
His education took place at the Manlius Military in New York and followed with his attendance at the University of New Hampshire. He became an owner of several McDonald’s in different locations. The experience gave him the knowledge of owning a small business and having to take care of it. Barnes has been married for 52 years and has three children; two sons and one daughter. He also has seven grandchildren.
After serving two terms on the NH House of Representatives, Barnes was elected to the senate. He was then re-elected during 2000 and has been in the position ever since. Other involvements include Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection Committee, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
As a senator, Barnes wants to get some of his messages across even though he knows he will not win, he says. He wanted to run for president but after John McCain announced he was running, Barnes decided to take a different path.
“In New Hampshire you can sign up and run for vice president and be on the ballot,” Barnes says. “And I’ll get my message out. It’s worked because The Associated Press interviewed me and it’s been in the papers.”
As a supporter of McCain, he follows closely with his policies.
“I’m the chairman for McCain and we’ve got him coming to town for a meeting and I’m delighted to have him come,” says Barnes. “I hope he’s the next president.”
Some issues that Barnes feels most strongly about are gay marriage, religion, and veterans, he says. Gay marriage as an issue has become an issue that he has encountered in his political career. On a personal level, he admits that it bothers him.
“I never brought it up and I’m not going to bash it,” Barnes says. “I try to be fair to everyone and it doesn’t mean I don’t like their lifestyle or they like my lifestyle. We can have the opportunity to have our own thoughts and ideas.”
As a member of the U.S. Army, Barnes feels that veterans are often forgotten. He says the experience gained was something that his family instilled in him as well. While he was serving in the military, he received a Purple Heart.
“I do everything in my power to help the Veterans of this state,” Barnes says. “I think they get forgotten about and swept under the carpet.”
The honor not only gave him a memory but a reason to gain tremendous respect and keep in his heart an idea of how he wanted to perceive the country, Barnes says.
“Having served in the service it gave me experience,” says Barnes. “It had a lasting affect on me. I volunteered for the army and go to Korea because I wanted to go where the action was.”
Stemming from these events was a sense of morality that Barnes credits to his parents. His parents always enforced Sunday church and the meaning of family. He says it comes before everything in his life, he says.
“My family is number one with me and it comes before country,” Barnes says. “And it’s is the most important thing in the world to me.”
He enunciated the meaning of family and how it has shaped the way he makes decisions. Throughout his life thus far, he says that it affects him in a positive way.
“We all went to church, sometimes against my wishes but it was something they insisted we do,” Barnes says of going to church with his family each week.
All of these events have given him a different perspective and outlined the way he lives his life. As a citizen of the U.S. he wants to better the country for the future and underline issues that are most important to him, Barnes says. Aside from his political life, Barnes holds a strong vision of family and what it stands for. He will continue to enhance his message throughout his position as senator and influence the people of New Hampshire to listen.