Barry Barnes
Team CivX founding partner Barry Barnes has served as a campaign strategist to more than 500 public agency feasibility efforts, ballot measures, land use outreach and candidate campaigns in the states of California, Florida, Georgia, Connecticut since joining the consulting ranks in 1995.
As the lead strategist on many of California’s largest public finance campaigns, Barnes has overseen victories for the first-ever 9 Bay Area county ballot measures - Measure AA in 2016 to fund Bay Restoration and Regional Measure 3 in 2018 to fund regional transportation improvements. Both of these high-profile campaigns were lead by unprecedented coalitions made up of the Bay Area's business, labor, environmental and community organizations. In both of these campaigns, Barnes oversaw daily operations including multi-million dollar budgets, regional media buys, and an on-the-ground field operation in all 9 counties.
In addition, Barry Barnes managed the three-county “Save Caltrain” campaign in 2020 and has run multiple public finance campaigns in every Bay Area county as well as surrounding counties, most requiring 66% for passage.
In the area of land use, Barry Barnes has worked with many of California’s largest developers of affordable housing, retail, office and industrial projects. Major clients of note include Macerich Company/Broadway Plaza (Walnut Creek), Summerhill Homes (Santa Clara), The Irvine Company (Santa Clara), Pacific Union College (Napa) and Netflix (Los Gatos).
As a general consultant to candidates for the last 28 years, Barnes has helped more than 100 candidates to victory at the City Council, Mayoral, County Supervisor, State Legislature and Congressional levels.
Prior to joining the firm in 1995, Barry managed school bond efforts and other local campaigns throughout Northern California. He also served as a legislative director at San Jose City Hall for over three years, giving him personal experience with the fiscal challenges facing local elected officials. Barry was born and raised in Mt. Shasta, California and received his B.A. from California State University, Chico in 1991. He lives in the East Bay with his wife Samantha and sons Abraham and Benjamin.
BBarnes@TeamCivX.com