David Barber (Arkansas House candidate)

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David Barber
Image of David Barber

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Gravette High School

Associate

Northwest Arkansas Community College

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army National Guard

Years of service

2006 - 2014

Personal
Birthplace
Searcy, Ark.
Religion
None
Profession
Auctioneer
Contact

Personal Facebook

David Barber (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Arkansas House of Representatives to represent District 12. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

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

Biography

David Barber was born in Searcy, Arkansas. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2006 to 2014. He graduated from Gravette High School. He earned an associate degree from Northwest Arkansas Community College. His career experience includes working as an auctioneer and lead psychiatric technician at an inpatient psychiatric hospital.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 12

Incumbent Hope Hendren Duke defeated David Barber in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 12 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Hope Hendren Duke
Hope Hendren Duke (R)
 
72.7
 
12,861
Image of David Barber
David Barber (D) Candidate Connection
 
27.3
 
4,819

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 17,680
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. David Barber advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 12.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Hope Hendren Duke advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 12.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Barber in this election.

Pledges

Barber signed the following pledges.

  • U.S. Term Limits

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

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

Expand all | Collapse all

I'm David L. Barber, 36 years old, Iraq War veteran, father, auctioneer, and former mental health worker. I stepped up to run because I'm angry at the trajectory of Arkansas, because I have a twisted sense of humor, because in a district of around 30,000 human beings, nobody else had the guts to stand up to an inherited incumbency, and because I believe I can do a better job.
  • I'm for the hopeless. I know trailer parks. I know broken families. I know addiction. I know the cruelty of warfare. I know the failures of bureaucracy and institutions. I know how hard it is to get by, especially when you're not in the club. I know mental breakdowns and financial absurdity. I know what it's like to be human, and make mistakes. Arkansas is becoming more and more punitive and hostile to regular people, people who make mistakes. It's time for some humanity.
  • Something to know about me, I'm an unabashed prankster, I push boundaries, the more austere the environment, the more potential to learn and laugh. That doesn't mean I'm not serious, or don't know the gravity of elected office. It means I'm different, and Arkansas government needs more different. Almost ubiquitously, other politicians pledge to "fight" for this or that. What it usually equates to is a bunch of corporate-inspired talking and parroting. I'm interested in action. Action. Doing something good for people. I read legislation being passed, and it makes me sick how either meaningless or detrimental it usually is.
  • So many Arkansans hate Democrats, please give them a chance, many of them are good people with big hearts and a desire to serve their constituents and make Arkansas better. Oh, and nobody has to join a cult.
I am passionate about exposing hypocrisy, making recycling and sustainability economical, eliminating as many bureaucratic burdens on people as possible, streamlining problematic government programs, advocating for the separation of church and state, curbing a runaway prison industrial complex, affordable housing, mental health access, family court reform, bipartisan problem solving.
I look up to children, those in pursuit of truth, scientists, revolutionists, philosophers, explorers, those who push boundaries, rebels, healers, innovators, craftsmen, satirists, hard workers, artists, teachers, the curious. They don't have to be famous, they're everywhere, I learn from all of them, but usually have to make my own mistakes.
"Donnie Darko"

"South Park"

"'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman" - Harlan Ellison

"The Big Lebowski"

"1984" - George Orwell

"The Myth of Sisyphus" - Albert Camus

"Candide" - Voltaire

"The Sneetches and Other Stories" - Dr. Seuss

"Black Mirror"

"The Big Bang Theory"

X-Men Comics

The Far Side & Calvin & Hobbes
Diversity of human experience / wisdom, empathy, curiosity, courage, experimented with a psychedelic, a sense of humor.
A conscience that's not for sale, pragmatism, focus, writing ability, understanding of complex socio-economic phenomena at different levels, a little rage, the desire to learn and devote my life to our posterity.
Introducing sustainable and effective legislation that makes Arkansas a better place to exist as a human being. Educating constituents and serving as a liaison. Solving problems.
To die knowing I did all I could with the time given, that others were better for it.
We didn't have a television in the house growing up, but we borrowed one to keep up with September, 11th. I was 12, it was the first "big deal" historical event I remember.
Summer, age 13, I think my parents conned me into "working" at the John Steinbeck House Restaurant. It was a volunteer position. I accidentally dumped a pitcher of iced tea into a guy's lap while filling his glass. After the bruised ego and volunteering, they sent me a $50 Wal-Mart gift card.
1984. But here's some more. Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom Book Series, they were public domain when I was a teen, I figured out how to download them onto a Palm Pilot and was able to sneak-read them under blankets at night. It was my first introduction to sci-fi and hooked me. I also read Jurassic Park in one night, got caught, and was grounded for a month.
Iron Man
Aquatic Ambience, it's from Donkey Kong.
I have struggled with failed relationships. I've struggled with depression, PTSD, substance use (quit vaping!) and suicidal thoughts. I've struggled with finances, paying taxes, owning my own business, being a non-custodial father, the list goes on. Life is a struggle, we get through it best together.
The governor sets, leads, communicates their broad vision and policies to the legislature, the legislature plays tug-of-war and hashes out reality or, does not. A diverse legislature ensures it is the intended balance to the check.
Implosion due to declining quality of life, economics, and education.
Yes and no. Inexperienced working class, visionaries, youth, etc. all have something unique and valuable to contribute, and they should. Experience is also valuable, especially in procedure and wisdom. Melt in the pot, and mix it up.
It can be, but it can also lead to a circle of rubber-stamping parroting token talking heads.
It's hard to beat Benjamin Franklin, but I also admire Arkansas' own Rep. Joseph Anthony. Circa 1830's he had the courage to call out corruption during a debate about wolf pelt bounties. Speaker of the House took offense and stabbed him in the heart, killing him. It wasn't a happy ending for him, but I admire the courage and truth.
Of course, after I've proved capable in a lesser position.
My work in an NWA inpatient psychiatric hospital and as an auctioneer has intertwined me with hundreds of stories and moments that could rip out heartstrings. At the moment, one does not eclipse the other.
Once upon a time, I decided to run for political office. In Arkansas. I'll be on the ballot as a choice. Cracks me up every time!
Yes.
"A Bill to Standardize Default Holiday Schedules for Separated Families"
Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs

Committee on Constitutional Amendments

Judiciary Committee

Agriculture, Forestry, & Economic Development Committee

Insurance & Commerce Committee
Transparency / accountability continue to be intentionally complicated and obfuscated almost to the point where Arkansans need to be investigative journalists to understand what the...is going on.
I support changes that make citizen-led ballot initiatives less draconic and wasteful of time and resources, more accessible to the public.

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.

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.

David Barber campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Arkansas House of Representatives District 12Lost general$5,093 $733
Grand total$5,093 $733
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

See also

2024 Elections

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External links

Personal

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 16, 2024


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