Barry Wilson

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Barry Wilson

Independent

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

Associate

Ferris State University, 1974

Bachelor's

Michigan State University, 1982

Personal

Birthplace

Bay City, Mich.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Practice law

Contact

Campaign website

Barry Wilson (independent) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 14th Congressional District. He lost as a write-in in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Wilson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Barry Wilson was born in Bay City, Michigan. He earned an associate degree from Ferris State University in 1974 and a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in 1982. His career experience includes working in a law practice.

Elections

2022

See also: Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 14

Incumbent Lauren Underwood defeated Scott Gryder and Barry Wilson in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lauren Underwood (D)	54.2	128,141
		Scott Gryder (R)	45.8	108,451
		Barry Wilson (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	8

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 236,600
= 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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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14

Incumbent Lauren Underwood advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lauren Underwood	100.0	37,780

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 37,780
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14

Scott Gryder defeated James Marter, Mike Koolidge, Jack Lombardi II, and Jaime Milton in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scott Gryder	30.9	13,998
		James Marter	24.2	10,950
		Mike Koolidge	20.7	9,378
		Jack Lombardi II	14.1	6,372
		Jaime Milton	10.2	4,612

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,310
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Susan Starrett (R)

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Barry Wilson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wilson's 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.

Born in Bay City, Michigan. I’m a graduate of Michigan State University and hold a Juris Doctorate degree from Western Michigan University’s Law School I started working early as a paperboy, then worked my way through school when a car accident ended my dream of flying jets for the U. S. Air Force. Since then, I’ve been blessed with a wide variety of opportunities and experiences and have worked with amazing, talented, people across the United States.

I’ve spent my career growing businesses, first for the Michigan Department of Commerce and Michigan Pension Fund and later as the cofounder of several private equity funds from Michigan to California. I was the COO for the business incubator at the University of Southern California, nurturing technology businesses built on new ideas generated on the USC campus and lead the Mission Innovation Institute for the St. Joseph Health System.

I’ve experienced the shock of catastrophic health problems as my wife of 24 years, MaryKay, fought and lost her battle with breast cancer. I have four wonderful daughters and five amazing grandchildren.

I’ve settled in central Illinois and have turned my full attention to working for a brighter future for this great country.

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?

• If America is to make real progress, we must learn to attack the problems and not each other.
• The election of more Independents can help bring balance and a new, more objective, perspective to Washington DC.
• America's best days are still ahead.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Secure Borders

Safe Towns and Cities
Equality of Opportunity
True Economic Development
A Strong Military

Less Politics

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

Abraham Lincoln. I would like to follow his example because his goal was to bring people and the country together.

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

Abraham Lincoln's second Inaugural Address

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

Honesty, objectivity, wisdom, compassion and courage.

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

To represent the people of the district and protect and defend the United States.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I played a role in strengthening America's democracy.

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

The election of John F. Kennedy to the Presidency, 8 years old.

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

Six months as a United Auto Worker for the Chevrolet Division of General Motors

What is your favorite book? Why?

Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck. It's one of the first books I read and because its about two things I love, dogs and travel.

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

The last one I wrote and recorded

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

Because of the short two year term, representatives must be responsive to the current needs and goals of their district. Ideally, the House of Representatives should be the "peoples house" with a constant flow of new people, new ideas and perspectives.

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

All things being equal, I think it could be beneficial but not necessary. Private sector experience can be as beneficial.

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

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Greater citizen participation in politics and elections can result in natural term limits through elections.

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?

I have heard so many. I would only say that 5 minutes with the average voter is the best case for democracy. The American people are wonderfully diverse, committed, hard working and hopeful.

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

I believe coming together and honestly and objectively discussing the issues and coming to a meaningful mutually beneficial consensus is critical to effective policy making.

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?

It reminds me to constantly ask the question, can government spend the money more wisely and effectively than the people? When possible, leave the money with the people who made it.

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.

See also

2022 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

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External links

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Candidate

U.S. House Illinois District 14

Website

Footnotes

[show]

Illinois' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Tammy Duckworth (D)

Dick Durbin (D)

Representatives

District 1

Jonathan Jackson (D)

District 2

Robin Kelly (D)

District 3

Delia Ramirez (D)

District 4

Jesus Garcia (D)

District 5

Mike Quigley (D)

District 6

Sean Casten (D)

District 7

Danny Davis (D)

District 8

Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)

District 9

Jan Schakowsky (D)

District 10

Brad Schneider (D)

District 11

Bill Foster (D)

District 12

Mike Bost (R)

District 13

Nikki Budzinski (D)

District 14

Lauren Underwood (D)

District 15

Mary Miller (R)

District 16

Darin LaHood (R)

District 17

Eric Sorensen (D)

Democratic Party (16)

Republican Party (3)