ga_gov_barnes
STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROY BARNES
Age: 50 Born: March 11, 1948; Atlanta, Georgia Education: University of Georgia J.D., (1972), B.A.(1969) Military: U.S. Army Reserves (1972-78) Family: Married - Marie; Three children Hometown: Mableton, Georgia Religion: Methodist Career: GA State Representative (1993-present); Practicing attorney (1975-present); Candidate for Governor (1990); GA State Senator (1975-90); Cobb County District AttorneyÂ's office (1972-74) |
• Barnes is a native of Mableton, Georgia. He grew up working in his familyÂ's general store. He still lives in Mableton, not far from his childhood home.
• He graduated with a B.A. in history from the University of Georgia in 1969. He went on to graduate from the University of Georgia Law School where he was president of the student bar association and named AOutstanding Senior@ at the law school.
• After finishing law school in 1972, he served in the Cobb County District AttorneyÂ's office for two years. In 1974, he moved into private practice at the same time he pursued a career in politics.
• Barnes was first elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1974 at age 26. He served eight terms and chaired the Judiciary Committee. Beginning in 1983, he also served as Governor Joe Frank HarrisÂ' floor leader in the Senate. He gave up his seat in 1990 to run for Governor, but he finished third in the Democratic primary.
• In 1992, Barnes ran and won a seat in the state House of Representatives, where he still serves. He sits on the Judiciary Committee, the Rules Committee and the Banks and Banking Committee.
• Barnes is a successful trial attorney in addition to his duties as an elected official. He is senior partner in the law firm of arnes, Browning, Tanksley and Casurella in Marietta, Georgia. In recent years Barnes primarily has taken on civil cases, although he has done some criminal defense in the past. Political opponents have criticized him for representing an accused child molester at a legal hearing in 1995.