Politician Ben Barnes

A popular politician by age 22 and later a successful businessman, Ben Barnes was seemingly born with the talent to socialize, motivate, manage, and produce. Ben Barnes began honing his skills in an almost caricature role selling vacuum cleaners door to door in Brownwood, Texas. Any good salesman knows how to get along with people, and it was these skills, in addition to education, drive, and an interest in politics that led Ben Barnes to build the foundation that would result in so much of his success.

Ben Barnes became interested in politics for the right reasons. While attending the University of Texas, Ben Barnes worked for the Texas State Health Department, during which his close observation of financial record led to the indictment of the state health commissioner. Following this politically charged experience, Ben Barnes decided to run for a seat on the House of Representatives for the State of Texas. He was barely 22 years old, but was elected in an unexpected victory in 1961.

Ben Barnes served in the political structure for 12 years, and at one point President Lyndon Johnson remarked that he would be the next President of the United States. As expected of a man concerned about the well being of his constituency, Ben Barnes advanced quickly in the legislature. He became Speaker of the Texas State House of Representatives in 1965 and the Lt. Governor of Texas in 1969. During his political career, Ben Barnes also served as a US Representative to the NATA conference and also as a UN representative to Geneva.

Ben Barnes retired from politics in 1973 and transitioned into business. Throughout his business career, Ben Barnes worked in a number of large industries, from real estate to the founding of his own business consulting and lobbying firm the Ben Barnes Group. In 1997 he made $23 million by selling a lobbying firm to the Texas lottery subcontractor.

Ben Barnes has used his gift for business, people, and issues to lead an immensely successful life. Always concerned about the state of the world and particularly the State of Texas, Ben Barnes continues to keep abreast of current events in the business and political world alike. In 2006, Ben Barnes published a book entitled Barn Burning Barn Building in which he expounds on his political career. Ben Barnes also discusses the modern political structure and makes a case for a return to bipartisanship. During the John Kerry campaign, Ben Barnes contributed a substantial $500,000. He also donates considerably to a number of charities and nonprofit organizations every year.