View source for Joe Barton

{{Short description|American politician (born 1949)}}
{{Other people||Joseph Barton (disambiguation){{!}}Joseph Barton}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name         = Joe Barton
|image        = Joe Barton official congressional photo.jpg
|office       = Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce|House Energy and Commerce Committee]]
|term_start   = February 16, 2004
|term_end     = January 3, 2007
|predecessor  = [[Billy Tauzin]]
|successor    = [[John Dingell]]
|state1       = [[Texas]]
|district1    = {{ushr|TX|6|6th}}
|term_start1  = January 3, 1985
|term_end1    = January 3, 2019
|predecessor1 = [[Phil Gramm]]
|successor1   = [[Ron Wright (politician)|Ron Wright]]
|birth_name   = Joseph Linus Barton
|birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1949|9|15}}
|birth_place  = [[Waco, Texas]], U.S.
|death_date   = 
|death_place  = 
|party        = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|spouse       = {{ubl |{{marriage|Janet Winslow|1971|2003|end=div}} |{{marriage|Terri Brasier|2004|2015|end=div}}}}
|children     = 4
|education    = [[Texas A&M University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])<br>[[Purdue University]] ([[Master of Science|MS]])
|module       = {{Listen |pos=center |embed=yes |filename=Rep. Joe Barton Speaks in Support of the Ryan White HIV-AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006.ogg |title=Barton's voice |type=speech |description=Barton on legislation to modernize the [[Ryan White CARE Act|Ryan White HIV/AIDS treatment program]].<br>Recorded September 28, 2006}}
}}
'''Joseph Linus Barton''' (born September 15, 1949) is an American politician. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], he represented {{ushr|Texas|6|}} in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] from 1985 to 2019. The district included [[Arlington, Texas|Arlington]], part of [[Fort Worth]], and several small towns and rural areas south of the [[Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex]]. He was also a member of the [[Tea Party Caucus]]. In 2014, Barton became the longest-serving member of the Texas congressional delegation.<ref>[http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Focus-of-sexting-scandal-won-t-run-for-12396500.php "Barton, facing sexting scandal, won't run for re-election to Congress,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''San Antonio Express-News''.</ref>

Barton described himself as "a constant defender of conservative ideals and values".<ref name=autogenerated15>[http://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article57787228.html "Battle for Texas’ 6th Congressional District,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.</ref> He advocated for deregulation of the electricity and [[natural gas]] industries,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://joebarton.house.gov/biography/|title=Biography {{!}} U.S. Representative Joe Barton|website=joebarton.house.gov|language=en|access-date=2017-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224041051/https://joebarton.house.gov/biography/|archive-date=December 24, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and served as vice-chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://energycommerce.house.gov/meet-vice-chairman/|title=Meet the Vice Chairman – Energy and Commerce Committee|work=Energy and Commerce Committee|access-date=2017-09-25|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925083440/https://energycommerce.house.gov/meet-vice-chairman/|archive-date=September 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> He denied that manmade [[carbon emissions]] had contributed to [[global warming]],<ref name=twsRStone101>Andy Kroll, November 3, 2016, ''Rolling Stone'', [https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/why-republicans-still-reject-the-science-of-global-warming-w448023 Why Republicans Still Reject the Science of Global Warming], Retrieved May 21, 2017, "modern-day Republican Party, protecting fossil fuels ... was a religion ... didn't have a chance in hell of persuading someone like Barton to join his cause.... open hostility to science and evidence and facts...</ref><ref name=twsPolFact994>Louis Jacobson, January 15, 2015, PolitFact, [http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/jan/15/facebook-posts/widely-shared-meme-oversimplifies-joe-bartons-2009/ Widely shared meme oversimplifies Joe Barton's 2009 comment on wind energy, climate change], Retrieved May 21, 2017</ref> was a proponent of the use of [[fossil fuel]]s,<ref name=twsTimemag191>Jay Newton-Small and Katy Steinmetz, June 18, 2010, ''TIME'', [https://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1997963,00.html Eight More Deep Thoughts from Rep. Joe Barton], Retrieved May 22, 2017, "in the mid-1980s, Barton took a hard Texan line against spies ... he said all spies should be given the death penalty as "retribution" to fellow citizens... "We wouldn't go through the legalities that we have to because of our due process."</ref> voted in favor of the May 2017 GOP plan to replace Obamacare,<ref name=twsWashPost848>Kim Soffen, Darla Cameron, Kevin Uhrmacher, May 4, 2017, ''Washington Post'', [https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/ahca-house-vote/ How the House voted to pass the GOP health-care bill], Retrieved May 22, 2017</ref> supported President [[Donald Trump]]'s ban on immigration from certain predominantly Muslim nations,<ref name="Blake1"/><ref name=texastrib101>ABBY LIVINGSTON AND BOBBY BLANCHARD, January 29, 2017, ''Texas Tribune'', [https://www.texastribune.org/2017/01/29/texas-congressional-support-trump-refugee-ban-fall/ Texas congressional delegation largely silent on Trump travel ban], Retrieved May 21, 2017, "Barton ... backed the ban..."</ref> and supported the death penalty for people caught spying.<ref name=twsTimemag191/> Barton led a successful effort to repeal the oil export ban in the House in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bna.com/skeptics-won-oil-n57982065740/|title=Skeptics Won Over for Oil Export Win, Barton Says|website=www.bna.com|access-date=2017-09-25}}</ref> His environmental record of defending industries against tighter pollution controls earned him the nickname "Smokey Joe."<ref name=autogenerated7>[http://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article186068468.html "Nude photo posted online of U.S. Rep. Joe Barton,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.</ref>

Barton came to national prominence after telling a citizen at a town hall meeting to "shut up."<ref name=twsWashPost101>Lindsay Bever, March 15, 2017, ''Washington Post'', [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/03/15/you-sir-shut-up-republican-congressman-shouts-down-a-constituent-at-tense-town-hall/?wpisrc=nl_evening&wpmm=1 ‘You, sir, shut up!’: Republican congressman shouts down a constituent at tense town hall], Retrieved March 15, 2017, ""You, sir, shut up."... The crowd responded with a combination of apparent anger and applause, with one attendee screaming: "What is that? You don't tell anybody to shut up! You work for us!""</ref> He came to national attention again when sexually explicit photos that he had consensually shared with women were leaked without his consent in 2017.<ref name=foxnews20171122>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republican-rep-joe-barton-apologizes-after-lewd-photo-surfaces/ |title=Republican Rep. Joe Barton apologizes after lewd photo surfaces |work=[[Fox News]] |first= Alex |last=Pappas |date=2017-11-22}}</ref><ref name=politico20171122>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/22/gop-congressman-barton-apologizes-for-nude-selfie-259442 |title=GOP congressman Barton apologizes for nude selfie |work=[[Politico]] |first=Kyle |last=Cheney | date=2017-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2017/11/27/cringe-worthy-photo-let-voters-decide-rep-joe-bartons-future |title=After cringe-worthy photo, let voters decide on Rep. Joe Barton's future |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |author=Editorial Board |date=2017-11-27}}</ref> In November 2017, Barton announced that he would not seek re-election in [[United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2018|2018]] following this specific sex scandal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leslie |first=Katie |date=November 30, 2017 |title= Rep. Joe Barton: I will not seek re-election|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/11/30/rep-joe-barton-will-not-seek-re-election |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |location=Dallas, TX |access-date=November 30, 2017 }}</ref>

==Early life, education, and early career==
Barton was born in [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], [[Texas]], the son of Bess Wynell (née Buice) and Larry Linus Barton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/reps/barton.htm |title=Joe Barton Genealogy |publisher=Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com |access-date=2010-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010150518/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/barton.htm |archive-date=2012-10-10 |url-status=live}}</ref> He graduated from [[Waco High School]]. He attended [[Texas A&M University]] in [[College Station, Texas|College Station]] on a Gifford-Hill Opportunity Award scholarship, and received a [[bachelor's degree|B.S.]] in [[industrial engineering]] in 1972.<ref>{{cite web
  | title =Proceedings
  | publisher =Texas A&M University
  | date =2004-04-06
  | url =http://cheweb.tamu.edu/tiact/proceedings2004.pdf
  | access-date =2009-05-13 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060904114703/http://cheweb.tamu.edu/tiact/proceedings2004.pdf |archive-date = 2006-09-04}}</ref> An [[Master of Science|M.Sc.]] in industrial administration from [[Purdue University]] followed in 1973.

Following college, Barton entered private industry until 1981, when he became a [[White House Fellow]] and served under [[United States Secretary of Energy]] [[James Burrows Edwards|James B. Edwards]]. Later, he began consulting for [[Atlantic Richfield]] Oil and Gas Co., before being elected to the [[United States Congress]] in 1984.<ref name=HouseBio>{{cite web |url=http://joebarton.house.gov/biography1/ |title=Joe Barton Congressman – 6th District of Texas |publisher=Joebarton.house.gov |access-date=2010-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621055328/http://joebarton.house.gov/Back.aspx?Page=Biography |archive-date=2010-06-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives==

===Elections===
====1984–86====
[[File:Joe Barton and Ronald Reagan.jpg|thumb|Barton meets President [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1984]]
Barton made his first run for elected office in 1984, when he entered the Republican primary for [[Texas's 6th congressional district]] after three-term incumbent [[Phil Gramm]] left his seat to run for the [[United States Senate]] that year. He finished first in the five-candidate field with 42%,  and very narrowly defeated Max Hoyt in the runoff with 50%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=418501 |title=TX District 6 – R Primary Race – May 05, 1984 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201033/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=418501 |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=418504 |title=TX District 6 – R Runoff Race – Jun 02, 1984 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200844/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=418504 |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=live}}</ref> He then defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee and former State Representative [[Dan Kubiak]] 57%–43%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=50388 |title=TX District 6 Race – Nov 05, 1984 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191010/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=50388 |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=live}}</ref> Barton was one of six freshmen Republican U.S. congressmen elected from Texas in 1984, known as the [[Texas Six Pack]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/10/30/1588611/-A-legacy-40-years-in-the-making-Comparing-the-candidates-in-the-Texas-6th-TX-06|title=A legacy 40 years in the making: Comparing the candidates in the Texas 6th (TX-06)|website=Daily Kos}}</ref>

In 1986, Barton won re-election against Democratic candidate [[Pete Geren]], who was later elected to Congress from a neighboring district. Barton defeated Geren 56%–44%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=38378 |title=TX District 6 Race – Nov 4, 1986 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030010515/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=38378 |archive-date=2013-10-30 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====1988–2010====
[[File:Bush Contact Sheet P01374 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Barton meets President [[George H. W. Bush]] in 1989]]
[[File:George W. Bush and Joe Barton.jpg|thumb|Barton with President [[George W. Bush]]]]
During this period, Barton won each re-election with 60% of the vote or more.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=1738 |title=Candidate – Joe L. Barton |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030012129/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=1738 |archive-date=2013-10-30 |url-status=live}}</ref> His worst general election performance was in 2006, when he defeated Democratic candidate David Harris 60%–37%, a 23-point margin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=207706 |title=TX – District 06 Race – Nov 07, 2006 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204032209/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=207706 |archive-date=2014-02-04 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 2008 election was his second-worst performance, defeating Democratic candidate Ludwig Otto by a 26-point margin, 62%–36%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=401674 |title=TX – District 06 Race – Nov 04, 2008 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022201631/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=401674 |archive-date=2012-10-22 |url-status=live}}</ref>

He was only challenged in the primary twice in this time period: in 1992 and 1994. In 1992, he defeated Mike McGinn 79 to 21%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=558402 |title=TX District 06- R Primary Race – Mar 10, 1992 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505140248/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=558402 |archive-date=2014-05-05 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1994, he defeated Jerry Goode 89%–11%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=560498 |title=TX District 06- R Primary Race – Mar 08, 1994 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505140246/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=560498 |archive-date=2014-05-05 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====2012====
Because of increasing controversy surrounding his record in office, election battles became increasingly contentious. In 2011, a [[Political Action Committee|Super PAC]] was formed by Texas conservative groups to remove him and several other long-time incumbents from office.<ref>Slater, Wayne (2012-04-02) [http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/04/texas-super-pac-targets-long-t.html "Texas super PAC targets long-time GOP incumbents Joe Barton and Ralph Hall"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606164459/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2012/04/texas-super-pac-targets-long-t.html|date=2012-06-06}}. ''Dallas Morning News''. <!--accessed 2012-05-01--> <!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20120606164459/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2012/04/texas-super-pac-targets-long-t.html --></ref>
The [[Democratic National Committee]] used Barton's comments in political ads, shown nationally against all Republican candidates.<ref>Yellin, Jessica (2011-06-18) {{YouTube|9it4s893yDI|"CNN Debuts DNC ad 'Stop Apologizing'"}}. ''CNN''. <!--accessed 2012-05-01--></ref> Several websites were created and dedicated to simply removing Barton from office. DefeatJoeBarton.com/ was created by Democratic challengers.  All content was later removed, though the site is still owned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defeatjoebarton.com/ |title=www.defeatjoebarton.com |access-date=2017-04-23 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504172046/http://www.defeatjoebarton.com/ |archive-date=May 4, 2012 }}</ref>

Barton drew three primary challengers: Joe Chow, Mayor of [[Addison, Texas|Addison]]; Itamar Gelbman, a security consultant; and Frank C. Kuchar, a Dallas businessman and former preacher. Chow is Texas' first [[Asian-American]] mayor. He called Barton "the most corrupt congressman in the State of Texas."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2012/05/rep-joe-barton-on-gop-primary-race-my-real-opponent-is-me/ |title=Rep. Joe Barton on GOP primary race: 'My real opponent is me' &#124; Texas on the Potomac |publisher=[[Houston Chronicle|Houston Chronicle Blogs]] |date=2012-05-17 |author=Dunham, Richard |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522072056/http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2012/05/rep-joe-barton-on-gop-primary-race-my-real-opponent-is-me/ |archive-date=2012-05-22 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of March 2012, Barton had $1.3 million in cash on hand, compared with $28,800 for Chow, $178,000 for Gelbman, and $463 for Kuchar.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vaughn |first=Chris |url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/05/13/3957102/longtime-us-house-rep-joe-barton.html#storylink=cpy |title=Longtime U.S. House Rep. Joe Barton draws GOP challengers in District 6 race |publisher=Star-telegram.com |date=2012-05-13 |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713133708/http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/05/13/3957102/longtime-us-house-rep-joe-barton.html |archive-date=2012-07-13 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2014====

In the Republican primary on March 4, Barton won re-nomination to a 16th term in the U.S. House. He polled 32,579 (72.7%); his 2012 primary opponent, Frank Kuchar, trailed with 12,260 votes (27.3%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/mar04_169_race3.htm|title=Republican primary election returns, March 4, 2014|publisher=enr.sos.state.tx.us|access-date=2014-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306070205/https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/mar04_169_race3.htm |archive-date=2014-03-06 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On November 4, Barton handily won re-election over Democratic opponent David Cozad.

====2016====

Barton polled 55,197 votes (68.7%) in a three-candidate field for the Republican House nomination in the March 1 primary election. The runner-up, Steven Fowler, received 17,927 votes (22.3%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar01_273_state.htm?x=0&y=1414&id=664|title=Republican primary returns|date=March 1, 2016|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|access-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306143740/https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar01_273_state.htm?x=0&y=1414&id=664|archive-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref> To win his 17th consecutive term in the House, Barton then defeated in the November 8 general election the Democrat Ruby Faye Woolridge (born 1948) of [[Arlington, Texas|Arlington]], who had polled 22,954 votes (69.7%) in her earlier three-candidate Democratic primary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar01_233.htm|title=Democratic primary returns|date=March 1, 2016|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|access-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306144035/https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar01_233.htm|archive-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref> Barton finished with 159,444 votes (58.3%) to Woolridge's 106,667 (39%); the most any Democrat had received against Barton in his three-decade career.<ref name=autogenerated11>[http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article186091598.html "What could happen to Texas Rep. Joe Barton's Congressional seat?" | The Kansas City Star<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The remaining 7,185 votes (2.6%) went to the [[Green Party (United States)|Green Party]] candidate, Darrel Smith, Jr.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist319_state.htm|title=Election Results|date=November 8, 2016|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|access-date=December 17, 2016}}</ref>

====2018====
Texas's filing deadline for the House seat held by Barton was December 11, 2017.<ref name=autogenerated11 /> The primary was held March 6, 2018.<ref name=autogenerated11 /> Barton initially said that he would run for reelection, but announced on November 30, 2017, that he would not seek reelection in 2018.<ref name=autogenerated19>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/11/30/rep-joe-barton-will-seek-re-election "Rep. Joe Barton: I will not seek re-election",<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''Dallas News''.</ref><ref name=autogenerated20>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/30/politics/joe-barton-re-election/index.html |title=Rep in nude photo incident will not seek re-election |first=Miranda |last=Green |website=[[CNN]]|date=November 30, 2017 }}</ref>

If Barton resigned from his seat (as predicted by Austin Republican strategist [[Matt Mackowiak]]), there would be a special, open primary election in 2018, in which candidates from all parties would appear on a single ballot; if no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, then the top two vote-getters (regardless of party) will advance to a runoff.<ref name=autogenerated11 /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/11/26/voters-question-whether-congressman-whose-nude-photo-leaked-online-could-win-seat/ |title=Voters question whether congressman whose nude photo leaked online could win seat |first1=Ben |last1=Guarino |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

Democrat former educator Ruby Faye Woolridge had indicated she would run for the seat, as did Democrats Jana Lynne Sanchez (endorsed by the [[New Democrat Coalition]] and the environmental group [[Climate Hawks Vote]]), party activist Justin Snider, Levii R. Shocklee of Arlington, and lawyer John Duncan.<ref>[http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article186767093.html "Texas Rep. Joe Barton's seat could give Latina PR professional an opening" | McClatchy Washington Bureau<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name=autogenerated15 /><ref name=autogenerated14>[http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article186091598.html "What could happen to Texas Rep. Joe Barton's Congressional seat?" | The News Tribune<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name=autogenerated12>[http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/bud-kennedy/article186538743.html "Texas' Joe Barton could get re-elected to Congress despite photo,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.</ref><ref name=autogenerated16>[http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article186846098.html "Many local Republicans think Joe Barton shouldn't run for re-election,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.</ref> Republicans [[Jake Ellzey]] (a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot and commissioner on the Texas Veterans Commission) and Dr. Monte Mark Mitchell (a Fort Worth physician, attorney, and custom home builder) filed to oppose Barton, and other Republican candidates for Barton's seat may include State Representative [[Tony Tinderholt]], State Senators [[Brian Birdwell]] and [[Konni Burton]], [[Ellis County, Texas|Ellis County]] Commissioner Paul Perry, and former [[Tarrant County]] Tax Assessor-Collector Ron Wright (Barton's former chief of staff and district director).<ref>[http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/bud-kennedy/article187706273.html "Who'll replace Joe Barton? Tax official, ex-fighter in race as Republicans,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.</ref><ref name=autogenerated14 /><ref name=autogenerated7 /><ref name=autogenerated12 /><ref name=autogenerated17>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/New-Calls-from-Within-GOP-for-Rep-Joe-Barton-to-Not-Run-for-Re-Election-460605883.html|title=New Calls for Rep. Joe Barton to Not Seek Re-Election|first=Maria|last=Guerrero|website=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth|date=November 28, 2017 }}</ref><ref name=autogenerated16 /><ref>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/11/28/rep-joe-barton-faces-new-primary-challenger-sexting-revelation "Rep. Joe Barton faces new primary challenger after sexting revelation,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Dallas News''.</ref>

The ''[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]'' urged that Barton not seek re-election.<ref>[http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/editorials/article186757213.html "Joe Barton should leave Congress after sending nude photos,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.</ref> [[Tim O'Hare]], the Chairman of the Tarrant County Republican Party, called on Barton "to not seek re-election and to retire from Congress by the end of [2017]," saying he is guilty of "sexual immorality."<ref name=autogenerated16 /><ref name=autogenerated17 /> Republican State Senators Konni Burton and Brian Birdwell also urged Barton to not seek re-election.<ref>[http://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article187189338.html "State Sen. Konni Burton joins Republicans asking U.S. Rep. Joe Barton to step down,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.</ref><ref>[http://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article187291883.html "State Sen. Birdwell asks Joe Barton to not seek re-election,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.</ref> Brian Mayes, a Dallas political consultant, said Barton was vulnerable in his upcoming election battle "if he gets a motivated opponent", and that he risked getting lumped in "fairly or unfairly" with [[List of federal political sex scandals in the United States|sexual misconduct allegations in Congress]].<ref name=autogenerated8>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-politics/2017/11/23/texas-rep-joe-barton-might-victim-also-politically-vulnerable-strategists-say "Texas Rep. Joe Barton might be a victim, but he's also politically vulnerable, strategists say,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Dallas News''.</ref> Barton announced on November 30, 2017, that he would not seek reelection.<ref name=autogenerated19 />

===Tenure===
[[File:Joe Barton (16405774486).jpg|thumb|Barton speaking at the 2015 [[Lincoln Dinner]] in Fort Worth]]
Barton voted against the [[Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008]] in both of its manifestations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll671.xml |title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 671|publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives|date=September 29, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll681.xml |title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 681|publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives|date=October 3, 2008}}</ref>

In March 2011, Barton sponsored the [[U.S. Lighting Energy Policy#Better Use of Light Bulbs Act|Better Use of Light Bulbs Act]], which would repeal the [[Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007]], signed by President [[George W. Bush]]. The 2007 law set energy efficiency standards for light bulbs, effectively eliminating most or all [[incandescent light bulb]]s. Barton said "People don't want Congress dictating what [[light fixture]]s they can use."<ref>{{cite web|author=Caygle, Heather |url=http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Republicans-demand-bulb-law-repeal-1619397.php |title=Republicans demand bulb law repeal |work=[[Houston Chronicle|Houston Chronicle Online]] |location=Washington Bureau |date=2011-03-31 |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226041645/http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Republicans-demand-bulb-law-repeal-1619397.php |archive-date=2014-02-26 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Barton was a member of the [[Freedom Caucus]]<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.texastribune.org/2017/03/26/ted-poe-resigns-freedom-caucus |title= U.S. Rep. Ted Poe resigns from Freedom Caucus |newspaper=Texas Tribune |first=Abby |last=Livingston |date=March 26, 2017 |access-date=February 7, 2018 }}</ref> and the [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|access-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|archive-date=2018-08-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the first session of the [[115th United States Congress]], Barton was ranked the 42nd most bipartisan member of the [[United States House of Representatives|House]] by the Bipartisan Index, a metric published by [[Richard Lugar#The Lugar Center|The Lugar Center]] and [[Georgetown University|Georgetown's]] [[McCourt School of Public Policy]] to assess [[United States Congress|congressional]] bipartisanship.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thelugarcenter.org/assets/htmldocuments/Senate%20Scores%20115th%20Congress%20First%20Session.pdf|publisher=The Lugar Center|title=The Lugar Center - McCourt School Bipartisan Index|date=April 24, 2018|access-date=July 9, 2018|location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref>

;Congressional action
* Former Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,<ref name="paidwife">{{cite web  | title= Report says Barton's campaign paid wife |date=2007-06-19|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram <!--  removed convenience link http://www.star-telegram.com/national_news/story/141802.html, may be available to buy here http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_multi=ST|&p_text_advanced-0=%28barton%20%22paid%20wife%22%29 -->}}</ref><ref name="bbcwarming">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4693855.stm | title= Politics plays climate 'hockey' |access-date= 2007-06-20|author=Pease, Roland |publisher=[[BBC News]]| date=2005-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307214120/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4693855.stm |archive-date=2008-03-07 |url-status=live}}</ref> House sponsor of the [[Energy Policy Act of 2005]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/6|title=H.R.6 - 109th Congress (2005-2006): Energy Policy Act of 2005|first=Joe|last=Barton|date=August 8, 2005|website=www.congress.gov}}</ref> and chairman of the House–Senate energy conference committee.{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}} On his website he speaks of his diligent work to promote a conservative agenda, and how "in his first legislative victory as Chairman, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation to limit indecency on the public airwaves."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://web.archhttps://joebarton.house.gov/biography/ |title=Biography {{!}} U.S. Representative Joe Barton |website=JoeBarton.House.Gov |publisher=U.S. House of Representatives |access-date=2 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231053636/https://joebarton.house.gov/biography/ |archive-date=31 December 2018}}</ref>
* Both initiated and eliminated "safe harbor" provision for [[MTBE]] (in Energy Policy Act of 2005).<ref name="MSNBCNews"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/21/energy.bill.mtbe.ap/ |title=House approves energy bill |date=2005-04-21 |work=[[CNN]]|agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050424041210/http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/21/energy.bill.mtbe.ap/index.html |archive-date=2005-04-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Co-founded the Congressional Privacy Caucus, cosponsor of the anti-spyware [[Cyber-security regulation#Proposed regulation|SPY ACT]], initiated [[s:National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006|National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006]].
* Opposed the extension of the [[Voting Rights Act]] in 2006
* Barton was a leading voice in Congress for forcing [[Digital television transition in the United States|the switch from analog to digital TV]].<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1413451/barton-pushes-for-analog-shut-off Barton Pushes For Analog Shut Off], ''Billboard'' (April 26, 2005).</ref><ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7562876 Lawmaker to press for digital TV deadline: Broadcasters wary because of low adoption rate], Associated Press (April 19, 2005).</ref> 
* Barton has supported the auctioning off the public airwaves to private companies.<ref>Dow Jones, [http://www.mercurynews.com/2008/02/13/fccs-martin-admits-d-block-spectrum-bid-unlikely/ FCC's Martin admits D-block spectrum bid unlikely], ''Mercury News'' (February 13, 2008).</ref><ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/gop-lawmakers-call-for-new-airwave-auction-to-pay-for-national-911-communications/ "GOP Lawmakers Call for New Airwave Auction to Pay for National 911 Communications"], Associated Press (April 15, 2008).</ref>

==== Global warming ====

Prompted by a February 2005 ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' article,<ref>{{cite news|author=Regalado, Antonio  |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB110834031507653590 |title=In Climate Debate, The 'Hockey Stick' Leads to a Face-Off |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=2005-02-14 |access-date=2010-06-19}}</ref> Barton launched an investigation that year into two [[climate change]] studies from 1998 and 1999.<ref name="bbcwarming"/> In his letters to the authors of the studies he requested details on the studies and the sources of the authors grant funding.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/07/31/tree-ring-circus/ | title= Tree Ring Circus|access-date= 2007-06-20|author= Milloy, Steven|publisher=[[Fox News]]| date=2005-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002070434/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/07/31/tree-ring-circus/ |archive-date=2013-10-02 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' condemned Barton's investigation as a "[[witch-hunt]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/22/AR2005072201658.html | title= Hunting Witches|access-date= 2007-06-20|author= Editorial|newspaper= Washington Post | date=2005-07-23}}</ref> During former [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Al Gore]]'s testimony to the [[Energy and Commerce Committee]] in March 2007, Barton asserted to Gore that "You're not just off a little, you're totally wrong" (climate scientists have refuted Barton's assertion<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2007/04/the-lag-between-temp-and-co2/
|title=The lag between temperature and CO2. (Gore's got it right.)
|date=2007-04-27 |access-date=2014-06-18}}</ref>), stating that "[[Global warming]] science is uneven and evolving."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/21/AR2007032100945.html |author=Pickler, Nedra |title=Gore Implores Congress to Save Planet |newspaper= Washington Post |date=2007-03-21 |access-date=2014-05-06}}</ref>

Upset with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's passage of global warming legislation in 2009, he said: "You can't regulate God."<ref name=autogenerated13>[https://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1997963,00.html "Eight More Deep Thoughts from Congressman Joe Barton,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''TIME'', June 18, 2010.</ref> At the same time, Barton implied in 2009 that wind is a "finite resource," and there was a claim made that Barton was suggesting that greater use of wind turbines would "slow the winds down," which would "cause the temperature to go up,"<ref name=autogenerated13 /><ref>[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128117364 "Opening Panel Round,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] NPR, June 26, 2010.</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/apr/23/oil-joe-barton "Leo Hickman: Climate sceptic 'baffles' US energy secretary Steven Chu" | Environment,<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''The Guardian'', April 23, 2009.</ref> although a report in ''Snopes'' suggested that Barton was merely quoting an academic study which suggested that increased use of wind turbines might have unintended consequences for the environment, and that the claim about the linkage between increased use of wind turbines and slowing down the winds was incorrect.<ref name=twsSnopes111>Snopes, [https://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/bartonwind.asp Did Rep. Joe Barton Proclaim 'Wind Is a Finite Resource'? Texas Rep. Joe Barton supposedly once said that 'wind is a finite resource and harnessing it would slow the winds down, which would cause the temperature to go up.'], Retrieved December 16, 2017, "...he was quoting from a paper written by an academic that questioned whether increased use of wind turbines might have unintended environmental consequences..."</ref> In 2013, when discussing the [[Keystone Pipeline|Keystone XL]] pipeline, he referred to the [[Genesis flood narrative]] in the Bible to argue that current climate change isn't man-made.<ref name=huffington_post_10_apr_2013>{{cite news|last=Klene|first=Chelsea|title=Joe Barton Cites Great Flood To Disprove Human Role In Climate Change|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/joe-barton-great-flood_n_3055909.html|access-date=2013-04-13|newspaper=[[Huffington Post]]|date=2013-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414024511/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/joe-barton-great-flood_n_3055909.html |archive-date=2013-04-14 |url-status=live}}</ref> Barton rejects the [[Scientific opinion on climate change|scientific consensus on climate change]] that climate change is real and that human activity is the primary cause.<ref name="huffington_post_10_apr_2013" /><ref name=vice>{{cite news |title=A Guide To The Climate Change Deniers In Congress |at=Texas' Climate Change Deniers |date=April 25, 2017 |access-date=August 30, 2017 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/texas-climate-change-deniers/ |publisher=[[Vice Media]] |department=Motherboard}}</ref><ref name=buzzfeed20130410>{{cite news |title=Republican Congressman Cites Biblical Great Flood To Say Climate Change Isn't Man-Made |date=April 10, 2013 |first=Andrew |last=Kaczynski |access-date=September 3, 2017 |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/republican-congressman-cites-biblical-great-flood-to-say-cim |agency=[[BuzzFeed]] |quote="I don't think it's a secret that I'm a proponent and supporter of the Keystone pipeline," Barton said..."I would point out that people like me who support hydrocarbon development don't deny that climate is changing," he added. "I think you can have an honest difference of opinion of what's causing that change without automatically being either all in that's all because of mankind or it's all just natural. I think there's a divergence of evidence...If you believe in the Bible, one would have to say the Great Flood is an example of climate change. That certainly wasn't because man had overdeveloped hydrocarbon energy."}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=time20100618>{{cite news |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |title=Eight More Deep Thoughts from Rep. Joe Barton |url=https://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1997963-1,00.html |first1=Jay |last1=Newton-Small |first2=Katy |last2=Steinmetz |date=June 18, 2010 |access-date=September 4, 2017 |quote=Barton is a long-time denier of global warming. He's called it "a triumph over good sense and science" and in 2007 hearings he told Al Goe, "You're not just off a little. You're totally wrong."}}</ref>
Barton has "mocked human-caused climate change" according to ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/03/us/politics/republican-leaders-climate-change.html |title=How G.O.P. Leaders Came to View Climate Change as Fake Science |last1=Davenport |first1=Coral |date=June 3, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2017-06-03 |last2=Lipton |first2=Eric |issn=0362-4331 |quote=Representative Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican who once called climate change "a serious problem" and co-sponsored a bill to promote energy-efficient light bulbs, tacked right after the 2010 elections as he battled to be chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee against Joe Barton, a Texan who mocked human-caused climate change.}}</ref> and is "a long-time denier of global warming" according to ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine,<ref name=time20100618/> and "a longtime skeptic of human involvement in climate change" according to ''[[HuffPost]]''.<ref name="huffington_post_10_apr_2013"/> In any event, he suggested that humans will "adapt" to climate change because we can "get shade."<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://washingtonmonthly.com/2009/09/18/joe-barton-environmental-visionary/ | title=Joe Barton, environmental visionary| date=2009-09-18}}</ref> "Barton has made a reputation for his outspoken rejection of man-made climate change, and for his support for the oil industry," according to [[Suzanne Goldenberg]] in ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=US congressman cites biblical flood to dispute human link to climate change |author-link=Suzanne Goldenberg |first=Suzanne |last=Goldenberg |date=April 10, 2013 |access-date=September 5, 2017 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2013/apr/11/republican-biblical-flood-climate-change |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

====Autism bills controversy====
Barton tried to block the bipartisan [[Combating Autism Act|Combating Autism Act of 2006]]. He said that the money steered toward environmental causes of [[autism]] was not the reason he blocked passage of the bill.<ref>{{cite news |date=2006-10-28 |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-barton_28nat.ART.North.Edition1.3e00d4c.html |title=Activists Putting Heat on Barton |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |author1=Reddy, Sudeep |author2=Loftis, Randy Lee|access-date=2009-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020043618/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-barton_28nat.ART.North.Edition1.3e00d4c.html |archive-date=2010-10-20 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The controversy stemmed from the conflict between two bills in the House and Senate.  Barton introduced the National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://olpa.od.nih.gov/legislation/109/publiclaws/reformact06.asp |title=National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006 |publisher=[[Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis]] |access-date=2013-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501004808/http://olpa.od.nih.gov/legislation/109/publiclaws/reformact06.asp |archive-date=2013-05-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> while Senator [[Rick Santorum]] introduced the Autism bill.  Santorum said in a CNN interview that the Senate bill was intended to be "fit into" Barton's bill in the House bill. He stated that "I was in constant conversation with him [Barton] and many House members all last week in an attempt to help the NIH bill come through the Senate, as well as try to move the Combating Autism bill through the Senate."  Santorum stated that the Senate bill would investigate possible environmental causes, while the House bill would prevent that.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLdXcb5Pc6Q&feature=watch_response |title=CNN Combating Autism Act Joe Barton |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2006-10-05 |access-date=2013-10-26}}</ref>

Barton let the bill die in committee, which upset many people who were vocal about saying Barton had sacrificed the interests of autistic children in the interests of the oil and gas companies that donate heavily to his campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa2-bFlASpo |title=Joe Barton Autism Parent Meeting – TURNED AWAY BY POLICE!|publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=2013-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00005656 |title=Joe Barton: Campaign Finance/Money – Summary – Representative 2014 |publisher=OpenSecrets |access-date=2013-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195541/http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00005656 |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====BP oil spill controversy====
In June 2010, Barton accused the Obama administration of a "$20 billion [[Extortion|shakedown]]" of oil giant [[BP]] after the company reached an agreement with the administration to establish an [[escrow]] account to pay the claims of people harmed by the [[Deepwater Horizon oil spill|''Deepwater Horizon'' oil spill]] in the [[Gulf of Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvKZh3EY9S4&feature=player_embedded |title=Barton- 'I Apologize' To BP For Escrow Fund |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2010-06-17 |access-date=2010-06-19}}</ref> He made the accusation at the outset of a House hearing where BP's chief executive officer, [[Tony Hayward]], appeared for the first time before Congress.  Facing Hayward at the witness table, Barton said, "I apologize. I do not want to live in a country where any time a citizen or a corporation does something that is legitimately wrong, is subject to some sort of political pressure that is, again, in my words — amounts to a shakedown, so I apologize."<ref name="barton-bp-apology-cbs">{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rep-joe-barton-apologizes-to-bps-tony-hayward-for-white-house-shakedown-video/ |title=Rep. Joe Barton Apologizes to BP's Tony Hayward for White House "Shakedown" |author=Montopoli, Brian |date=2010-06-17 |access-date=2010-06-18|publisher=[[CBS News]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131204145144/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rep-joe-barton-apologizes-to-bps-tony-hayward-for-white-house-shakedown-video/|archive-date=2013-12-04 |url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to the establishment of the agreement, the Obama administration had been public in their criticism of BP for the oil spill.<ref name="barton-bp-apology-cbs"/>

Barton's remarks were criticized by White House spokesman [[Robert Gibbs]] and Vice President [[Joe Biden]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oil-spill-apology-idUSTRE65G42D20100617 |title=Apology to BP's Hayward triggers uproar |work=[[Reuters]]|author=Holland, Steve |date=2010-06-17 |access-date=2013-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216170009/https://www.reuters.com/article/2010/06/17/us-oil-spill-apology-idUSTRE65G42D20100617 |archive-date=2013-02-16 |url-status=live}}</ref> GOP congressional leadership<ref>{{cite news|title=GOP rushes to clean up Joe Barton mess |author=Allen, Jonathan |author2=Sherman, Jake |publisher=[[Politico]] |date=2010-06-17 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/06/gop-rushes-to-clean-up-barton-mess-038700 |archive-date=April 24, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424183004/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38700.html }}</ref> as well as by Barton's fellow Republicans, some of whom called on him to relinquish his leadership role in the [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Power|House Energy Subcommittee]].<ref>Collette, Christopher (2010-06-18) [https://archive.today/20130210012507/http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=134419 "Florida Congressmen denounce Joe Barton's apology to BP"]. [[Associated Press]] via [[WTSP]].<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20140506213703/http://archive.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=134419 --></ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jo Bonner piles on Joe Barton |author=Allen, Jonathan |publisher=[[Politico]] |date=2010-06-18 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/06/bonner-piles-on-barton-038736 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006203418/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38736.html |archive-date=2012-10-06 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Barton later said that his earlier remarks had been "misconstrued" and that he believed BP was responsible for the accident.  Later that day, he issued a statement apologizing for using the term "shakedown" and fully retracted his apology to BP.<ref name="MSNBCNews">{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7574562 |title=House approves $12 billion energy bill |publisher=[[NBC News]]|date=2005-04-21 |access-date=2010-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506214954/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/7574562/ns/politics/t/house-approves-billion-energy-package |archive-date=2014-05-06 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rep-joe-barton-retracts-apology-to-bps-tony-hayward/|title=Rep. Joe Barton Retracts Apology to BP's Tony Hayward |author=Montopoli, Brian |date=2010-06-17 |access-date=2014-05-06|publisher=[[CBS News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506210451/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rep-joe-barton-retracts-apology-to-bps-tony-hayward/ |archive-date=2014-05-06 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Sodomy and abortion====
In 2010, Barton backed a policy platform that called for re-criminalizing [[sodomy]] in Texas.<ref name=autogenerated9>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-barton-revenge-porn_n_5a171883e4b0d4906caddd94|title=Rep. Joe Barton's Explicit Photo Leak Could Be Revenge Porn|date=November 23, 2017|website=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref>  He has 100% ratings from socially conservative groups such as the [[Family Research Council]] and the [[Christian Coalition of America]] for his opposition to [[abortion]] and [[LGBTQ]] rights.<ref name=autogenerated9 /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-joe-barton-nude-photo-20171122-story.html |title=Congressman told woman he would report her to Capitol Police if she exposed his secret sex life |first1=Mike |last1=Debonis |first2=Elise |last2=Viebeck |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref><ref>[http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article29207584.html "Fort Worth protesters demand funding cuts for Planned Parenthood,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.</ref>

====CREW report====
The organization [[Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington]] (CREW) put Barton on its "CREW's Most Corrupt Report 2011".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/mostcorrupt/entry/joe-barton |title=Joe Barton (R-TX) &#124; CREW's Most Corrupt Members of Congress |publisher=Crewsmostcorrupt.org |access-date=2013-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190726/http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/mostcorrupt/entry/joe-barton |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/mostcorrupt/entry/most-corrupt-report-2011 |title=CREW's Most Corrupt Report 2011 &#124; CREW's Most Corrupt Members of Congress |publisher=Crewsmostcorrupt.org |access-date=2013-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193151/http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/mostcorrupt/entry/most-corrupt-report-2011 |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The article stated that on Barton's 2008 financial disclosure statement, he inaccurately reported on the source of a natural gas interest that he bought into.  The share was purchased through a longtime donor and supporter, who later died. This was discovered by the ''[[Dallas Morning News]]'' in 2010.<ref name="dallasnews1">Michaels, Dave (2010-02-03) [http://www.dallasnews.com/news/washington/20100203-U-S-Rep-Joe-6388.ece "U.S. Rep. Joe Barton's gas well stake raises ethical questions"]. ''Dallas Morning News''. <!--accessed 2012-04-30--><!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20120412091049/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/washington/20100203-U-S-Rep-Joe-6388.ece --></ref> According to the ''Dallas Morning News'' article, Barton made over $100,000 on the investment.  The article and CREW Report both pointed out how Barton buying this undervalued asset from an "advisor" on energy issues could be a conflict of interest to the Congressman's position as the Chair of the House's Energy Subcommittee.  It quoted [[James A. Thurber|James Thurber]], a Distinguished Professor of Government at [[American University]], as saying: "If you are elected as a public servant to try to do what is right for the public generally and then you use that position to help bring in material wealth, I think it's unethical."<ref name="dallasnews1"/>

CREW also reported that Barton paid his wife Terri $57,759 in salary and bonuses, from his campaign funds in the 2006 election cycle.<ref name="ethicsreport">{{cite web |url=http://www.citizensforethics.org/page/-/PDFs/Reports/Family%20Affair%20%28House%29%20-%20Full%20Report.pdf?nocdn=1 |title=Family Affair – Full Report |access-date=2014-05-06 |publisher=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506224317/http://www.citizensforethics.org/page/-/PDFs/Reports/Family%20Affair%20%28House%29%20-%20Full%20Report.pdf?nocdn=1 |archive-date=2014-05-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A spokesman said that Terri served as the campaign's outreach director and planned fund raising and special events.<ref name="paidwife"/> in addition, Barton's daughter Kristin was paid $12,622 in salary and bonuses, and his mother, Nell Barton, was paid $7,000 for a car.<ref name="paidwife"/>

====Crude oil ban====
Barton expressed in September 2014 his full support of the U.S. lifting the [[Energy Policy and Conservation Act#Crude oil export ban, 1977-2015|40-year-old ban]] on [[crude oil]] exports – an issue that sparked controversy among members of the Republican Party. Several research reports had found that exporting the glut of shale oil would ultimately lower U.S. and global fuel prices, rather than raise them; U.S. public opinion was divided on the issue.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Volcovici|first1=Valerie|title=Texas lawmaker Barton backs lifting oil export ban despite peers' misgivings|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oil-exports-usa-lawmaker-idUSKBN0GW31R20140901|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=September 11, 2014|date=September 2014}}</ref>

====Online poker====
Barton has sought to permit [[online poker]], and regulate it on a federal level.<ref name=autogenerated10>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2015/06/rep-joe-barton-introduces-a-new-bill-that-would-regulate-onl-22059.htm|title=Rep. Joe Barton Introduces New Bill That Would Regulate Online Poker in the US|website=www.pokernews.com|date=June 26, 2015 }}</ref> To that end, he has introduced the Online Poker Act of 2011, the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013, and the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cardschat.com/news/joe-barton-of-texas-federal-online-poker-bill-10712|title=US Representative Joe Barton of Texas Pushes In Federal Poker Bill|work=Cardschat|access-date=2 September 2015|date=2015-03-30}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated10 />

====Health care====
Barton favored repealing the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|Affordable Care Act]] (ACA, or Obamacare).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/gop-cant-win-health-care-king-burwell-obamacare-119290/|title=Why the GOP Can't Win on Health Care|work=[[Politico]] Magazine|access-date=2017-03-24}}</ref> Explaining why the [[American Health Care Act]] (the House Republicans' bill to repeal and replace for the Affordable Care Act) failed in March 2017, Barton said, "Sometimes you're playing fantasy football and sometimes you're in the real game. We knew the president, if we could get a repeal bill to his desk, would almost certainly veto it. This time we knew if it got to the president's desk it would be signed."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/leadership-pulls-obamacare-repeal|title='The Bill Is Over': House GOP Pulls Health Care Bill Before Sure Defeat|work=Talking Points Memo|access-date=2017-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/688408/republican-congressman-shockingly-honest-about-why-ahca-failed|title=This Republican congressman was shockingly honest about why the AHCA failed|date=2017-03-24|access-date=2017-03-24}}</ref>

====Hurricane Harvey relief====
Barton voted against [[Hurricane Harvey]] relief in 2017.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/magazine/the-voices-in-blue-americas-head.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur|title=The Voices in Blue America's Head|last=Zengerle|first=Jason|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 22, 2017 |access-date=2017-11-22|language=en}}</ref> Barton said that he could not support an increase in the [[United States debt ceiling|debt ceiling]].<ref name=":0" />

====Immigration====
Barton supported President [[Donald Trump]]'s 2017 [[Executive Order 13769]] banning entry to the United States by nationals of seven Muslim-majority nations.<ref name="Blake1">{{cite web|last1=Blake|first1=Aaron|title=Coffman, Gardner join Republicans against President Trump's travel ban; here's where the rest stand|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/29/republicans-on-trump-travel-ban/|website=Denver Post|access-date=January 30, 2017|date=2017-01-29}}</ref>

In November 2017, Barton called on the House leadership to pass naturalization legislation for children who came across the border illegally with their parents.<ref>Drusch, Andrea. (9 November 2017). "After three decades in Congress, Rep. Barton keeps changing, keeps surviving". [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article183745136.html McClatchy DC website] Retrieved November 15, 2017.</ref>

===Committee assignments===
* [[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce|Committee on Energy and Commerce]] (Chair ''emeritus'')
** [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade|Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade]]
** [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Communications and Technology|Subcommittee on Communications and Technology]]
** [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Power|Subcommittee on Energy and Power]]
** [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Environment and Economy|Subcommittee on Environment and Economy]]
** [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Health|Subcommittee on Health]]
** [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations|Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations]]

==1993 U.S. Senate election==
{{See also|1993 United States Senate special election in Texas}}
In 1993, Barton ran in the special election for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the resignation of [[Lloyd Bentsen]], who became [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]] in the [[Clinton administration]]. Barton finished third in the contest, behind state treasurer [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] and Senator [[Bob Krueger]], thus missing a runoff slot. He divided the more conservative vote in that election with House colleague [[Jack Fields]] of [[Houston, Texas|Houston]].

==Barton Family Foundation==
The [[Barton Family Foundation]] was established in 2005 to support charities within the congressman's district.  His daughter-in-law, Amy Barton, is the Foundation's Executive Director.  Major energy corporations, such as the Chicago-based [[Nuclear power|nuclear energy]] producer, [[Exelon]] Corporation, make major gifts to the Foundation. In June 2008, at a time when Barton had introduced legislation to assist corporations with the recycling of spent nuclear fuel, the corporation donated $25,000 to the Foundation. Exelon has also donated $80,000 to Barton's campaign funds. The Foundation gave $90,000 to the local [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America|Boys and Girls Club]], this is the only recorded donation made by the Foundation in its seven-year history.<ref name=Sepee>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/06/congressmans-foundation-not-so-charitable/?page=all |title=Congressman's foundation not so charitable; Barton's group gives less than 25% to public causes|first=Jerry |last=Seper|work=[[The Washington Times]] |date=2009-04-06 |page=A.1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506222434/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/06/congressmans-foundation-not-so-charitable/?page=all |archive-date=2014-05-06 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sex scandal==

In November 2017, nude [[selfie]] pictures of Barton surfaced online, which he acknowledged were authentic, and which he apologized for to his constituents.<ref name=foxnews20171122 /><ref name=politico20171122 /> He confirmed he himself took the photo, apparently from a video of him [[masturbating]], and sent it to women with whom he was having consensual sexual relationships.<ref name=autogenerated1>[https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/texas-congressman-apologizes-nude-online-selfie/story?id=51331252 "Texas congressman apologizes for nude online selfie"] [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/veteran-us-congressman-joe-barton-admits-he-sent-naked-selfies-53csmzsxs |title=Veteran US Congressman Joe Barton admits he sent naked selfies |first=Rhys |last=Blakely |date=November 24, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Times (London, England)|The Times]]}}</ref> An anonymous [[Twitter]] user posted the photo of Barton, who had pointed his camera upward from below his genitals, next to a text message reading, "I want you soo bad. Right now. Deep and hard."<ref name=autogenerated2 />

An anonymous woman said that she had received the selfie and other explicit images from Barton, but she did not post any of them on the internet. She also shared with the ''Washington Post'' a 2015 recorded phone call in which Barton warned her against using the explicit materials "in a way that would negatively affect my career," threatening to report her to the [[United States Capitol Police|Capitol Police]] if she did so.<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/house/361642-barton-threatened-to-report-woman-to-capitol-police-if-she-shared-sexually/ "Barton threatened to report the woman to Capitol Police if she shared sexually explicit photos of him: report"] Jacqueline Thomsen, [[thehill.com]] 2017-11-22</ref> On the taped phone call, Barton said "... I ... met you twice while married and had sex with you on two different occasions"; the woman said that they had slept together in 2012 in Washington, DC, and in 2014 in Texas, and that the Congressman had reimbursed her for her airfare in cash on both occasions.<ref name=autogenerated6 /> The woman also shared with the ''Washington Post'' text and [[social media]] messages Barton exchanged with her, as well as a 53-second cellphone video in which Barton recorded himself masturbating.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/congressman-told-woman-he-would-report-her-to-capitol-police-if-she-exposed-his-secret-sex-life/2017/11/22/e3345862-cf10-11e7-a1a3-0d1e45a6de3d_story.html "Congressman on tape tells woman he would report her to Capitol Police because she could expose his secret sex life"] Mike DeBonis and Elise Viebeck, ''[[Washington Post]]'', November 22, 2017</ref> She described to the newspaper encounters and contact with Barton spanning a five-year period, beginning in 2011.<ref name=autogenerated6>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/congressman-told-woman-he-would-report-her-to-capitol-police-if-she-exposed-his-secret-sex-life/2017/11/22/e3345862-cf10-11e7-a1a3-0d1e45a6de3d_story.html|title=Congressman on tape tells woman he would report her to Capitol Police because she could expose his secret sex life|first1=Mike|last1=DeBonis|first2=Elise|last2=Viebeck|date=November 22, 2017|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> She said she came forward because: "It's not normal for a member of Congress who runs on a GOP platform of family values and conservatism to be scouring the Internet looking for a new sexual liaison."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2017/11/23/texas-congressman-told-woman-he-would-report-her-to-capitol-police-if-she-exposed-his-secret-sex-life/|title=Texas congressman told woman he would report her to Capitol Police if she exposed his secret sex life|website=The Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref>

A week later a second woman, Kelly Canon, a board member of the Arlington Republican Club and a member of the Republican Women of Arlington who is a constituent of Barton's, shared a series of messages—some with sexual overtones—that Barton had sent to her.<ref name=autogenerated18>[http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article187115778.html "He talked panties and politics: Woman shares Facebook messages from Texas politician" | ''Miami Herald''<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Barton sent the messages in 2012 and 2013, while Barton was married to his second wife.<ref name=autogenerated18 /> The messages included questions from Barton about whether Canon was "wearing a tank top only .. and no panties," followed by "answer me miss evasive."<ref name=autogenerated18 /> Barton also messaged her that "men are men...and u r definitely a sexy woman." When Canon responded that "all the good ones are married," Barton replied: "I dont know about good..but I am married ... but ...I am not thinking good thoughts at this moment ... blush."<ref name=autogenerated18 /> Barton confirmed that he had the message exchange.<ref name=autogenerated18 />

A third woman, Cheryl Small, said on November 30, 2017, that Barton had sex with her multiple times in his Ennis office while he was married.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wbap.com/2017/11/30/chris-krok-joe-barton-exclusive/|title=Chris Krok: Joe Barton Exclusive|date=November 30, 2017|website=News Talk WBAP-AM}}</ref>

His second ex-wife said: "Of course I wasn't surprised. I guess I was more surprised that some of these ladies finally came forward."<ref name=autogenerated22>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/congressman-joe-bartons-ex-wife-talks-about-multiple-extramarital-affairs/287-496254105|title=Congressman Joe Barton's ex-wife talks about multiple extramarital affairs|website=WFAA|date=December 2017 }}</ref> She said she found it ironic that Barton was one of President [[Bill Clinton]]'s loudest critics during the [[Monica Lewinsky scandal]].<ref name=autogenerated22 /> Similarly, columnist Jim Schutze of the ''[[Dallas Observer]]'' noted that Barton practically built his political career "on condemning the behavior of others and even on trying to make other people's private behavior against the law ...."<ref>[http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/clinton-barton-and-farenthold-the-different-flavors-of-hypocrisy-10134650], ''Dallas Observer''.</ref>

While Barton had no plans to resign immediately, according to a spokeswoman,<ref name=autogenerated1 /> and initially had said that he would run for reelection in 2018, a number of state and local politicians indicated that they might challenge him in the 2018 election for his seat.<ref>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/11/22/ennis-rep-joe-barton-apologizing-sexually-explicit-photo "Joe Barton apologizes for explicit photo, but he doesn't plan to resign"] ''[[Dallas News]]''.</ref><ref name=autogenerated20 /> Barton hired a [[crisis communication]] firm, and said he had suffered a "potential crime."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/us/politics/joe-barton-explicit-photo-twitter.html "Senior Texas Republican Swept Up Into Storm Over Explicit Photo"] Nicholas Fandos and Jonathan Martin, ''[[The New York Times]]'' Nov. 22, 2017</ref> Outlets including ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'', NBC and CNN opined that Barton might be a victim of [[revenge porn]], which—though not a federal crime—is a class A [[misdemeanor]] in Texas, punishable by up to one year in county jail and up to a $4,000 fine.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/11/22/congressman_joe_barton_might_have_been_the_victim_of_revenge_porn.html "Congressman Joe Barton Might Have Been the Victim of Revenge Porn"], [[Slate.com]], November 22, 2017</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/texas-rep-joe-barton-may-be-victim-revenge-porn-n823676|title=Texas Rep. Joe Barton may be a victim of revenge porn|first=Danny|last=Cevallos|publisher=[[NBC News]]|date=2017-11-23|access-date=2018-09-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/23/politics/joe-barton-image-revenge-porn/index.html|title=Explicit Barton image raises possibility of 'revenge porn'|first1=MJ|last1=Lee|first2=Juana|last2=Summers|first3=Sunlen|last3=Serfaty|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=2017-11-24|access-date=2018-09-29}}</ref>

Randy Bellomy, Chairman of the [[Ellis County, Texas|Ellis County]] Republican Party, said "His lifestyle is inconsistent with Republican ideals, and he has brought disgrace not only to Ellis County and the 6th Congressional District, but also to the people of Texas and this great nation."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/state/texas-news/republicans-say-barton-brought-disgrace-to-ellis-co-as-new-explicit-messages-arise/287-495609973|title=Republicans say Barton 'brought disgrace to Ellis Co' as new explicit messages arise|website=WFAA|date=November 29, 2017 }}</ref>  Brian Mayes, a Dallas political consultant, said that the sexting "is something you'd expect from a young, immature college kid, not a grandfather."<ref name=autogenerated8 /> Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey said that the case is distinguishable from that of former Congressman [[Anthony Weiner]] and [[Anthony Weiner sexting scandals|his sexting scandal]], but that the two controversies share one "consistent message that everyone should take to heart: We should all think very hard before we post, text or otherwise share anything."<ref name=autogenerated8 /> Barton announced on November 30, 2017, that he would not seek reelection.<ref name=autogenerated19 />

The ''[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]'' ran an editorial in reaction entitled "Hey Joe Barton, skipping the next election is not enough. It's time to go."<ref name=autogenerated21>[http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/editorials/article187189108.html "Joe Barton Republican step down United States House of Representatives,"<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.</ref> It opined that it was not appropriate for Barton – who "can no longer be taken seriously" – to continue to represent the 6th Congressional District for another year, until January 2019.<ref name=autogenerated21 /> He left office at the end of his term, on January 3, 2019.

==Personal life==
Barton was divorced from his first wife (Jeanette/Janet Sue Winslow) in 2003. He remarried in 2004, and divorced from his second wife (Terri) in 2015.<ref name=autogenerated5>{{Cite web|url=http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/harrison/vitals/divorces/1992/hariv92.txt|title=Vital Records – Harrison County, TX – Divorces 1992}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated7 /><ref>Maria Recio, [http://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article79072767.html Long-timer Joe Barton seeks to regain powerful chairmanship in Congress], ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'' (May 21, 2016).</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.newsweek.com/republican-congressman-joe-barton-victim-revenge-porn-720235 |title=Is Republican Congressman Joe Barton a victim of revenge porn? |first=Lauren |last=Gill |date=November 22, 2017 |magazine=[[Newsweek]]}}</ref> In 2017 he was again engaged.<ref name=autogenerated7 /> His wife Terri said she filed for divorce after evidence that Barton had engaged in multiple affairs, and finding "a very sexually explicit video of one of his mistresses."

He has four children and five grandchildren.<ref name=HouseBio/> In December 2005, Barton suffered a heart attack and was taken to [[George Washington University Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/93334-Barton_Has_Heart_Attack.php |title=Barton Has Heart Attack |author=Eggerton, John  |publisher=Broadcastingcable.com |date=2005-12-16 |access-date=2010-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506222156/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/barton-has-heart-attack/71135 |archive-date=2014-05-06 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{{s-start}}
|+ {{ushr|Texas|6|}}: Results 1984–2016<ref name="clerk">{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Office of the House Clerk – Electoral Statistics |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070725184700/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=July 25, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="fedelect">{{cite web|url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/electionresults.shtml|title=Election Results|publisher=[[Federal Election Commission]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |title=1992 – Current ELECTION HISTORY |publisher=[[Secretary of State of Texas]] |access-date=2013-10-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |archive-date=January 9, 2014 }}</ref>
! Year
!
! Republican
! Votes
! %
!
! Democratic
! Votes
! %
!
! Third Party
! Party
! Votes
! %
!
! Third Party
! Party
! Votes
! %
!
! Third Party
! Party
! Votes
! %
!
|-
|[[United States House election, 1984|1984]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |131,482
|{{party shading/Republican}} |57%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Dan Kubiak]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |100,799
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |43%
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|[[United States House election, 1986|1986]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |86,190
|{{party shading/Republican}} |56%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Pete Geren]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |68,270
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |44%
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|[[United States House election, 1988|1988]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |164,692
|{{party shading/Republican}} |68%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Pat Kendrick
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |78,786
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |32%
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|[[United States House election, 1990|1990]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |125,049
|{{party shading/Republican}} |66%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |John Welch
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |62,344
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |33%
|<!--Peter Worsham, write-in, got 737 votes-->
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|[[United States House election, 1992|1992]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |189,140
|{{party shading/Republican}} |72%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |John Dietrich
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |73,933
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |28%
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|[[United States House election, 1994|1994]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |152,038
|{{party shading/Republican}} |76%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Terry Jesmore
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |44,286
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |22%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Bill Baird
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |4,688
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |2%
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|[[United States House election, 1996|1996]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |152,024
|{{party shading/Republican}} |76%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |''No candidate''
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |
|
|{{party shading/Independent}} |Skeet Richardson
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |[[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
|{{party shading/Independent}} |28,187
|{{party shading/Independent}} |14%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Catherine Anderson
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |14,456
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |7%
|
|{{party shading/Constitution}} |Doug Williams
|{{Party shading/Constitution}} |[[U.S. Taxpayers Party|U.S.T.]]
|{{party shading/Constitution}} |6,547
|{{party shading/Constitution}} |3%
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 1998|1998]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |112,957
|{{party shading/Republican}} |73%
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|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Ben Boothe
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |40,112
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |26%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Richard Bandlow
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |1,817
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |1%
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|[[United States House election, 2000|2000]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |222,685
|{{party shading/Republican}} |88%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |''No candidate''
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Frank Brady
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |30,056
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |12%
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|[[United States House election, 2002|2002]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |115,396
|{{party shading/Republican}} |70%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Felix Alvarado
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |45,404
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |28%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Frank Brady
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |1,992
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |1%
|
|{{party shading/Green}} |B. J. Armstrong
|{{party shading/Green}} |[[Green Party (United States)|Green]]
|{{party shading/Green}} |1,245
|{{party shading/Green}} |1%
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|[[United States House election, 2004|2004]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |168,767
|{{party shading/Republican}} |66%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Morris Meyer
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |83,609
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |33%
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|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Stephen Schrader
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |3,251
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |1%
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|[[United States House election, 2006|2006]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |91,927
|{{party shading/Republican}} |60%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |David Harris
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |56,369
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |37%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Carl Nulsen
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |3,740
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |2%
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|[[United States House election, 2008|2008]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |174,008
|{{party shading/Republican}} |62%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Ludwig Otto
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |99,919
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |36%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Max Koch
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |6,655
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |2%
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|[[United States House election, 2010|2010]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |107,140
|{{party shading/Republican}} |66%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |David Cozad
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |50,717
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |31%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Byron Severns
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |4,700
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |3%
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|[[United States House election, 2012|2012]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |145,019
|{{party shading/Republican}} |58%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Kenneth Sanders
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |98,053
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |39%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Hugh Chauvin
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |4,847
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |2%
|
|{{party shading/Green}} |Brandon Parmer
|{{party shading/Green}} |[[Green Party (United States)|Green]]
|{{party shading/Green}} |2,017
|{{party shading/Green}} |1%
|-
|[[United States House election, 2014|2014]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |92,334
|{{party shading/Republican}} |61%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |David Cozad
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |55,027
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |36%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Hugh Chauvin
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |3,635
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |2%
|-
|[[United States House elections, 2016|2016]]
|
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Joe Barton'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |159,444
|{{party shading/Republican}} |58%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Ruby Faye Woolridge
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |106,667
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |39%
|
|{{party shading/Green}} |Darrel Smith Jr.
|{{Party shading/Green}} |[[Green Party (United States)|Green]]
|{{party shading/Green}} |7,185
|{{party shading/Green}} |3%
{{s-end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{CongLinks | congbio=b000213 | votesmart=27082 | fec=H4TX06117 | congress=joe-barton/62 }}<!--
Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template:
* [http://ballotpedia.org/Joe_Barton Biography] at [[Ballotpedia]]
* [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/400018 Congressional profile] at [[GovTrack]]
* [http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/400018 Congressional profile] at [[Participatory Politics Foundation|OpenCongress]]
* [http://www.rollcall.com/members/463.html Congressional profile] at ''[[Roll Call]]''
* [http://www.politifact.com/personalities/joe-barton Fact-checking] at [[PolitiFact.com]]
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00005656 Financial information (federal office)] at [[Center for Responsive Politics|OpenSecrets.org]]
* [https://apps.washingtonpost.com/politics/capitol-assets/member/joe-barton Financial investments (personal)] at ''[[The Washington Post]]''
* [http://www.legistorm.com/member/116/Rep_Joseph_Linus_Barton.html Staff salaries, trips and personal finance] at LegiStorm.com
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/TX/Joe_Linus_Barton.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]]
* [http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no2007-152414 Works by or about Joe Barton] in libraries ([[WorldCat]] catalog)
* [http://www.c-spanvideo.org/person/5248 Appearances] on [[C-SPAN]] programs
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1909728 Appearances] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]
* [http://topics.bloomberg.com/joe-barton Collected news and commentary] at ''[[Bloomberg News]]''
* [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/joe_l_barton/index.html Collected news and commentary] at ''[[The New York Times]]''
* [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gIQAhoxEAP_topic.html Collected news and commentary] at ''[[The Washington Post]]''
* -->
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060908060017/http://www.newsmeat.com/campaign_contributions_to_politicians/donor_list.php?candidate_id=H4TX06117 Campaign contributors] at ''Newsmeat''
* {{C-SPAN|5248}}
;Articles
* [http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2005/aug/business/pt_wsj.html How the Wall Street Journal and Rep. Barton celebrated a global-warming skeptic: The untold story of how a front-page article and powerful U.S. politicians morphed former mining executive Stephen McIntyre into a scientific superstar] ''Environmental Science & Technology'', August 31, 2005
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060614021021/http://soc.hfac.uh.edu/artman/publish/article_375.shtml "Big Oil Looking for a Government Handout, Courtesy of Joe Barton"] ''World Internet News'', April 2006,
* [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-barton_28nat.ART.North.Edition1.3e00d4c.html "Activists Putting Heat on Barton"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020043618/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-barton_28nat.ART.North.Edition1.3e00d4c.html |date=October 20, 2010 }} ''Dallas Morning News'', October 2006
* [https://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1997963,00.html "Eight More Deep Thoughts from Rep. Joe Barton"] ''Time'', June 2010

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Phil Gramm]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Texas|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Texas's 6th congressional district]]|years=1985–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ron Wright (politician)|Ron Wright]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Billy Tauzin]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce|House Energy and Commerce Committee]]|years=2004–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Dingell]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=John Dingell}}
{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the [[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce|House Energy and Commerce Committee]]|years=2007–2011}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Henry Waxman]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Lee Hamilton]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Former U.S. Representative}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Tom Petri]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-end}}

{{US House Energy and Commerce chairs}}
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{{USCongRep-end}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barton, Joe}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:American United Methodists]]
[[Category:Krannert School of Management alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Methodists from Texas]]
[[Category:People from Ennis, Texas]]
[[Category:Politicians from Waco, Texas]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Texas]]
[[Category:Tea Party movement activists]]
[[Category:Texas A&M University alumni]]
[[Category:Texas Republicans]]
[[Category:Waco High School alumni]]
[[Category:White House Fellows]]