The chance to represent the people of the 54th Senate District puts George Barber on a path to make one of his greatest dreams come true.
“I had always planned to run for office when our children were grown,” Barber told the Metro East Sun. “Our youngest of five is now a junior in high school, and with the open seat, I felt the time was right to run now.”
Barber is one of four candidates vying for the seat soon to be left vacant by retiring Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon).
George Barber
The coach of the Greenville University men’s basketball team, Barber said his game plan calls for espousing greater fiscal responsibility and conservative values.
“We need to gain seats in both the House and the Senate,” he said. “I would like to see a balanced budget, debt paid down, money prioritized for our most-vulnerable citizens and quality education. I want to protect the family, the unborn, Second Amendment and rule of law principles.”
The 53-year-old Barber lists McCarter and former 54th Senate District officeholder Frank Watson as being among his political heroes.
“We have a great legacy of Frank Watson and Kyle McCarter, who have served this Senate District 54 faithfully for the past 30 years,” he said.
The Belleville News-Democrat reported McCarter is being considered by the Trump Administration as the next ambassador to Kenya.
Barber is joined in the Republican field by Ben Stratemeyer, chairman of the Marion County Republican Party, and Air Force veteran Rafael Kim of New Baden. No Democrat has entered the race as of publication.
The 54th Senate District includes Effingham, Troy, Mascoutah, Nashville, Greenville and Salem.
Alerts Sign-up