Barry Knowles

Barry Knowles (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Washington's 4th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on August 6, 2024.

Knowles completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Barry Knowles was born in Spokane, Washington. He earned his education from the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute in 2014. Knowles has experience working as a construction professional, home inspector, and business owner.^[1]

Elections

2024

Washington's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 top-two primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Washington District 4

Incumbent Dan Newhouse defeated Jerrod Sessler in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 4 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Dan Newhouse (R)	52.0	153,477
	Jerrod Sessler (R)	46.2	136,175
	Other/Write-in votes	1.8	5,400

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 295,052
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 4

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 4 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jerrod Sessler (R)	33.1	51,020
✔		Dan Newhouse (R)	23.4	36,073
		Tiffany Smiley (R)	19.3	29,761
		Mary Baechler (D)	14.5	22,353
		Jane Muchlinski (D)	6.2	9,593
		Barry Knowles (D)	2.2	3,329
		Benny Garcia (Independent Party)	0.9	1,389
	Submit photo	John Malan (MAGA Democrat Party)	0.5	711
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	98

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 154,327
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Knowles in this election.

2022

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 47-Position 2

Chris Stearns defeated Shukri Olow in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 47-Position 2 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Chris Stearns (D)	63.7	27,057
	Shukri Olow (D)	31.1	13,196
	Other/Write-in votes	5.2	2,203

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 42,456
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 47-Position 2

Chris Stearns and Shukri Olow defeated Barry Knowles, Ted Cooke, and Carmen Goers in the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 47-Position 2 on August 2, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Chris Stearns (D)	33.4	10,051
✔	Shukri Olow (D)	19.6	5,903
	Barry Knowles (R)	17.5	5,252
	Ted Cooke (R)	15.2	4,566
	Carmen Goers (R)	14.3	4,294
	Other/Write-in votes	0.1	25

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 30,091
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 27-Position 2

Incumbent Jake Fey defeated Barry Knowles in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 27-Position 2 on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jake Fey (D)	71.4	52,081
	Barry Knowles (Independent)	27.7	20,177
	Other/Write-in votes	1.0	695

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 72,953
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 27-Position 2

Incumbent Jake Fey and Barry Knowles advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 27-Position 2 on August 4, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jake Fey (D)	74.7	32,837
✔	Barry Knowles (Independent)	24.3	10,671
	Other/Write-in votes	1.0	431

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,939
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2016

See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Washington House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 20, 2016.

Incumbent Pat Sullivan defeated Barry Knowles in the Washington House of Representatives, District 47-Position 2 general election.^[2]

Washington House of Representatives, District 47-Position 2 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Pat Sullivan Incumbent	58.01%	31,858
	Republican	Barry Knowles	41.99%	23,056
Total Votes				54,914
Source: Washington Secretary of State

Incumbent Pat Sullivan and Barry Knowles were unopposed in the Washington House of Representatives District 47-Position 2 top two primary.^[3]^[4]

Washington House of Representatives, District 47-Position 2 Top Two Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Pat Sullivan Incumbent
	Republican	Barry Knowles
Source: Washington Secretary of State

2014

See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Washington House of Representatives took place in 2014. A blanket primary election took place on August 5, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2014. Incumbent Pat Sullivan (D) and Barry Knowles (R) were unopposed in the primary. Sullivan defeated Knowles in the general election.^[5]^[6]^[7]

**Washington House of Representatives, District 47-Position 2 General Election, 2014**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Pat Sullivan Incumbent	55.6%	19,001
	Republican	Barry Knowles	44.4%	15,143
Total Votes				34,144

Endorsements

In 2016, Knowles' endorsements included the following:^[8]

King County GOP
Senator Steve Johnson
State Representative Mark Hargrove
State Representative Jt Wilcox
State Representative Jesse Young
State Representative Matt Manweller
PCO Douglas Whitcomb
PCO Sandra Amodt
PCO Steve Storguard
Andy Jolly

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Barry Knowles completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Knowles' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Voters should be angry at what our country has become. I am. We’re afraid to leave doors unlocked, to be assaulted by drug addicted, or mentally ill individuals wandering the streets, and to send children to public schools in fear of indoctrination over gender fluidity and subject’s we don’t agree with. Were stunned at gas and grocery prices. We fear people entering our country with no vetting or disease control. Government policies are destroying the farming industry.

The America I grew up in didn’t stand for these things, didn’t tolerate this behavior in our citizens or representatives. We keep electing the same politicians, who promise to change things. It’s getting worse.

I am going to give you a chance to elect someone like yourself to this office. I am a home grown, hard working middle-class American. I don’t toe a party line. I am not a career politician. I always step up when needed. I was taught to work hard, every day, and to treat people fairly and respectfully. I know how lucky I was to be born in this country, and for that I owed something. So, I served. Give me your trust today and you will not be disappointed with my performance as your representative.

I can’t be bought. I’m relentless and tireless when working. I don’t give up. I will legislate hard to control our border, protect our farming industry, divert more money to public assistance, to stop the flow of fentanyl into our neighborhoods, to purge our education system of pornography and gender discussions

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Our American way of life is in danger. Let’s talk about the things that we are most afraid of. We are now afraid to not lock our doors, we are afraid to go to the store in the middle afternoon in fear of being assaulted by drug addicted, or mentally ill individuals wandering the streets in a fentanyl stooper. We are afraid to send our children to public schools in fear of some strange indoctrination over gender fluidity and other subjects we do not agree with. The America I grew up in didn’t stand for these things, didn’t tolerate this behavior in our citizens or representatives. We keep electing the same, politicians, who promise to change things. Elect a non politician regular citizen like you, like me
I am a home grown, hard working middle-class American. I don’t toe a party line. I am not a career politician. I always step up when needed. I was taught to work hard, every day, and to treat people fairly and respectfully. I know how lucky I was to be born in this country, and for that I owed something. So, I served. Give me your trust today and you will not be disappointed with my performance as your representative. I can’t be bought. I’m relentless and tireless when working. I don’t give up. I will legislate hard to control our border, protect our farming industry, divert more money to public assistance, to stop the flow of fentanyl into our neighborhoods, to purge our education system of pornography and gender discussions.
. The flooding of our country by illegal immigrants, the devaluation of the US dollar and our world status. The degradation of society from massive fentanyl being allowed into our neighborhoods. Chaos is a political tool, and we need to realize it is being used on us today. I have always taken great pride in doing the right thing in life, even to the detriment of myself. I served 7 years because I felt I owed something to this great country. I was elected and served as a District Chairman for the Republican Party because I felt I was needed there. I am now running as a Democrat because that is where my voice is needed. We need to take control of our country and return to some resemblance of normalcy.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

What we are most in danger of right now is what I am most interested in. The flood of undocumented and un vaccinated individuals pouring into our country is a crime against all Americans, and those that have allowed it should be tried. I feel it is an attempt to de-stabilize our society.

90 percent of the drugs creating our homeless problems are coming across the southern border.

We do not have a homeless problem we have a drug and mental illness problem.

We need to once again be energy independent and stand in Chinas way of becoming the biggest world power

The government needs to take back control of making law from government agencies such as the EPA and returning it to the legislative body

Term limits would make our country stronger

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Elon Musk, Danna White, Joe Rogan, Shawn Ryan. They tell it like it is.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

George Orwell "ANIMAL FARM"

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

To understand where we came from. This country was formed by a group of individuals who observed the world powers and the controls they had over everyday people. They sought to create a country where the average citizens held the power and not the government. Where your individual freedoms were the greatest in the world. Our constitution is greatest founding documents ever made by man. However, our sovereignty and freedoms are, and always will be under attack.

The defense of our sovereignty and freedom comes before all other interest.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a good listener. I sleep on things before making quick decisions. i am willing to negotiate.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To preserve the sanctity of our founding documents. To protect the citizens of this country from foreign invasion and influence. To provide the most amount of freedom possible to any US citizen. We as American citizens enjoy a certain level of national sovereignty, state sovereignty and individual freedoms that are not practiced anywhere else on this planet. it is a representatives job to preserve and protect these tenants, even to the detriment of ones self.

What legacy would you like to leave?

One similar to Ronald Reagan. I want to be known as someone is honest. I want to be remembered as tough when I needed to be. That I would always make the best decision regardless of how it might affect me personally.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

When Ronald Reagan was shot I was 18

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Clearing rocks from farm fields. One summer

What is your favorite book? Why?

Hang Tough by Dick Winters

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

No idea

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I was born in a small town. John Cougar Melancamp

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Trying to keep one of my kids out of drugs and getting him mental health assistance.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The ability to produce taxation bills, to impeach and to elect a President in the case of an electoral tie.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Some experience is helpful for higher office.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The rise of China as the new world dominant influence. The destruction of our country from within.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

No, requires to much campaigning. I'd prefer 4 years.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Although the supreme court has ruled it as unconstitutional, I think the subject needs to be revisited. I am a supporter of term limits to keep life long legislators form ruling over the legislation. Fresh individuals with fresh ideas are always healthy for discussion.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

no

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes, while door knocking I came to a home and the gentleman had pictures of himself as a Nazi on his wall. I asked him about the photos and he gave me an interesting story. He was a German U boat submariner and the US sunk his boat. While captive the US guards convinced him of how wonderful America was and when the war was over he decided that he wanted to be in America. As a combatant he was denied so he immigrated to Canada for 2 years and then immigrated here as a Canadian and lived happily ever after.

Tell us your favorite joke.

What is the coolest letter in the alphabet? Its B because its surrounded by A/C

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes. Without compromise we are stuck in our own political cold war.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

One of the highest priorities indeed. Not only raising bills but also voting down spending bills that are not appropriate.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Now that Trump has been convicted it shows no one is above the law and there should be allot more legislators investigated for crimes. In the past they were always protected somehow but now that the protection racket has been broken there are many individuals that should be looked into. Id like to be on those committees.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Many individuals

What committees interest you?

All committees interest me.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Complete transparency and accountability. I also feel the 100 day rule for legislatures to report stock trades should be reduced to only 3 days so the rest of us can participate in Nancy Pelosi and her husbands remarkable stock picks that have made them a fortune. Better stock picking than any stock advisor in history could ever provide the general public. Nearly 100% success.

Transparency is not enough. It also has to be timely enough to be effective.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Barry Knowles did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Barry Knowles did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Knowles' campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“

A Vote For Barry Knowles is a Vote for...

No new taxes without a 2/3 majority vote. You do not need to tell me 6 different times through the initiative process not to raise taxes without a 2/3 majority. You also do not need a constitutional amendment to enforce your wishes. No new Taxes Without A 2/3 Majority!

My opponent has raised our taxes 6.7 billion dollars over a ten year period and suspended TWO initiatives approved by the citizenry.

Its time to start talking about government reforming its spending habits and programs. My Philosophy is to fund critical services, (Education, Emergency Services and Transportation), first and fully. If we run out of money it wont be on critical services.

No further increase in fuel tax and No carbon emission tax . Carbon emission and gas taxes will be big topics over the next few years.

To fund education first and uphold the McLeary decision requiring the state to fully fund education without relying on levies.

To protect civil liberties and citizens rights.

To decrease the size of Government.^[9]

”

—Barry Knowles^[10]

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Barry Knowles campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House Washington District 4	Lost primary	$0	N/A**
2022	Washington House of Representatives District 47-Position 2	Lost primary	$10,997	$11,151
Grand total			$10,997	$11,151
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

External links

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Candidate

U.S. House Washington District 4

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 2, 2024
↑ Washington Secretary of State, "General Election Results 2016," accessed December 2, 2016
↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 23, 2016
↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 2, 2016 Primary Results," accessed August 25, 2016
↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2014 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 20, 2014
↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 5, 2014, Official Primary Results," accessed August 5, 2014
↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Official general election results, 2014," accessed December 2, 2014
↑ Barry Knowles, "Endorsements," accessed October 4, 2016
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ Barry Knowles, "Issues," accessed October 4, 2016

[show]

Washington's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Maria Cantwell (D)

Patty Murray (D)

Representatives

District 1

Suzan DelBene (D)

District 2

Rick Larsen (D)

District 3

Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (D)

District 4

Dan Newhouse (R)

District 5

Michael Baumgartner (R)

District 6

Emily Randall (D)

District 7

Pramila Jayapal (D)

District 8

Kim Schrier (D)

District 9

D. Adam Smith (D)

District 10

Marilyn Strickland (D)

Democratic Party (10)

Republican Party (2)

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 2, 2024

[gresults16-2] Washington Secretary of State, "General Election Results 2016," accessed December 2, 2016

[plist16-3] Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 23, 2016

[presults16-4] Washington Secretary of State, "August 2, 2016 Primary Results," accessed August 25, 2016

[2014candidate-5] Washington Secretary of State, "2014 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 20, 2014

[6] Washington Secretary of State, "August 5, 2014, Official Primary Results," accessed August 5, 2014

[7] Washington Secretary of State, "Official general election results, 2014," accessed December 2, 2014

[8] Barry Knowles, "Endorsements," accessed October 4, 2016

[quotedisclaimer-9] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[10] Barry Knowles, "Issues," accessed October 4, 2016

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Barry Knowles

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for U.S. House Washington District 4

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 4

Endorsements

2022

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 47-Position 2

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 47-Position 2

2020

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 27-Position 2

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 27-Position 2

2016

2014

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2022

2020

2016

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

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