Meet the Candidate

Jamie Barton

Running For:

REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

District:

124

Political Affiliation:

REP

Age:

Occupation:

Member of the General Assembly

Education: (click to expand)

Biographical Info: (click to expand)

Rep. Jamie Barton is serving his Second term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with a focus to stimulate our economy; ignite small business; reduce the cost of energy for families and businesses; improve state infrastructure; invest in our school students; ensure election integrity across the Commonwealth; and support community safety through law enforcement. Jamie currently serves on Appropriations Committee, Energy Committee and Intergovernmental Affairs & Operations Committee. After serving just one term, Barton was named to the House Republican Leadership Team, as Chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee. Jamie, a resident of East Brunswick Township, has spent the past 37 years of his career in the energy industry as the vice president of Jack Rich, Inc. He studied business at Penn State and later Alvernia University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and was awarded the Community Service Award. Jamie is extremely active in his community. He serves as a lay pastor and has served as president and consistory member at his church St. Johns UCC in Orwigsburg. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors for the Big Impact Group of Schuylkill County and is the immediate past Chairman of the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce, and a former volunteer instructor at the Young Entrepreneur Academy. He also is a past president and current board of directors member for the Orwigsburg Lions Club and volunteer fundraiser for the Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet. Jamie has served on the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association board of directors and has been an adjunct professor at Penn State. He is a member of the Anthracite Region Independent Power Producers Association, the NRA and the Berks/Schuylkill Oil Dealers Association. Jamie served on CITGO Petroleum's Marketer Council from 2016-19. In 2017, the Orwigsburg Lions Club awarded him with the Citizen of the Year Award. In 2021, the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce awarded Jamie with Businessman of the Year Award, as a proud small business owner himself. Likewise, in 2024 Bartons fraternity Phi Sigma Kappa at Penn State University awarded him the Man of the Year award. Jamie is happily married to his wife, Brenda, and they have four children together: Jack, Alee, Nick and Joe and two Bernese Mountain dogs, Baloo and Lola.

Why are you running for office? (click to expand)

Survey

Response Legend

YYes
NNo
UUndecided
−Declined to Respond / Position Unknown / Unclear
*Comment
†Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question	Response	Comments/Notes
1. Should all voters be required to show identification before voting?	Y*	It's very simple. We show ID to board an airplane, book a hotel room, get a library card, purchase things like cigarettes or liquer. It only makes sense that we show ID to vote.
2. Should the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act be amended to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," which could require public schools and other public facilities to open up restrooms and locker rooms to members of the opposite sex?	N*	I have been and will continue to be a staunch supporter of SB 9; which would prohibit biological men to play in women sports, or use their locker rooms and bathrooms. There are (2) genders, male & female.
3. Should marijuana be legalized and sold commercially for recreational use?	N*	We have so much focus on workforce development because many employers can't find workers who can pass a drug test. On top of that, States like Colorado who have legalized recreational marijuana have experienced a loss in revenue. For every $1 in marijuana tax revenue, they are having to pay $4.50 in behavioral health services, law enforcement and counseling services.
4. Should increases in state government spending be limited to the rate of inflation plus population growth?	Y*	Capping spending keeps government size in check, specifically strict caps stop runaway spending, prevent large budget gaps and can actually lead to tax cuts or taxpayer refunds.
5. Should Pennsylvania make cuts to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) student scholarship program?	N*	This past budget cycle I was very vocal on the benefits of the EITC program. Education is not one size fits all, students learn differently and the EITC allows for scholarships to cyber, charter & religious schools, offering families and students a choice in their education.
6. Planned Parenthood Endorsement - abortion advocacy organization	−
7. Sierra Club Endorsement - environmental advocacy organization	−
8. Gun Owners of America Endorsement - gun rights advocacy organization	Y