Frank Barnitz

Barnitz earned his Bachelor's from Southwest Missouri State University in 1990

Barnitz owns Briarwood Cabins, Limited Liability Company. Barnitz was a Farm Manager for Barnitz Farm, Incorporated. He was also a Farm Manager for Running K Ranch in 1990. Barnitz and his wife, Lisa, have three children.

Barnitz served in the Missouri State House of Representatives from 2000 to 2005. He has also been a Board Member for the Dent-Phelps R-3 School since 1997. He then won a special election to the Missouri State Senate in 2005. Barnitz is a former Democratic member of the Missouri State Senate. He represented the 16th District from 2005 to 2011. Barnitz served as Minority Caucus Leader.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Folks across Southeast Missouri – from Jefferson County to the Bootheel, and from the Mississippi River to the Ozarks – are looking for steady, grounded leadership—someone who understands hard work, public service, and the challenges families face.

That’s why we’re working to elect Frank Barnitz to Congress.

Frank Barnitz’s life has been defined by commitment to family, agriculture, and community. A graduate of Rolla High School, he attended Southwest Missouri State University before building a life with his wife and daughters in Lake Spring, MO, where he and his family live on the same farmland his great-great-grandfather farmed.

We need a Congressman who understands our public schools are hurting and our rural hospitals aren’t getting the support they need, all while costs for our families soar!

If you’re tired of elected officials who just don’t listen, support Frank Barnitz for Congress – he’s one of us!

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?

Education. Strong public schools are the backbone of rural Missouri, and education is the great equalizer. They are not just places where our kids learn—they are community centers, major employers, and a source of local pride. Every child in our small towns and farming communities deserves a quality education close to home. Vouchers are scams being pushed by mega-donors that defund public schools to subsidize private education.Healthcare. Our healthcare system is broken. It has been for decades. All people should have a reasonable chance to have basic healthcare needs met. As it is today you have to struggle to pay for healthcare, insurance, food, daycare, housing just really the basics for existence. I believe we could relieve two of these problems by allowing affordable coverage of basic healthcare for all. I sit on the Salem Memorial Hospital Board and deal with rural healthcare issues regularly.Investment. We can bring good-paying jobs back to our rural communities through common-sense investment. By modernizing our local infrastructure and expanding access to vocational training, we can prepare a workforce that is ready for the skilled careers that support a family and sustain our rural communities.

Investing in these areas does more than just fill positions; it ensures our towns remain competitive and vibrant for the next generation. When we prioritize hands-on apprenticeships and reliable services, we provide our neighbors with the tools they need to build lasting careers right here at home without having to look elsewhere for opportunity.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Growing our local economy is my top priority. Whether it’s through targeted grants for entrepreneurs or expanding job training, we need to invest in the folks who live right here and keep our towns running. Having started and run several businesses myself right here in rural Missouri, I’ve lived through the same challenges you face every day. I know what it takes to make payroll and keep the lights on.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Missouri AFL-CIO

Campaign websiteBarnitz's campaign website stated the following:HealthcareOur healthcare system is broken. It has been for decades. All people should have a reasonable chance to have basic healthcare needs met. As it is today you have to struggle to pay for healthcare, insurance, food, daycare, housing just really the basics for existence. I believe we could relieve two of these problems by allowing affordable coverage of basic healthcare for all. I sit on the Salem Memorial Hospital Board and deal with rural healthcare issues regularly.EducationStrong public schools are the backbone of rural Missouri, and education is the great equalizer. They are not just places where our kids learn—they are community centers, major employers, and a source of local pride. Every child in our small towns and farming communities deserves a quality education close to home. Vouchers are scams being pushed by mega-donors that defund public schools to subsidize private education.Organized LaborUnions provide a vital foundation for rural economies by securing higher wages, safer conditions, and greater workplace respect despite opposition from wealthy interests. I am committed to defending the right to organize through tough penalties for interference while expanding apprenticeship programs that prepare young Missourians for high-demand careers. Additionally, I will advocate for union requirements on all federally funded projects to ensure taxpayer dollars support stable, good-paying jobs for local workers.Trade Schools & Community CollegesI will fight to increase federal funding for these institutions, ensuring they can hire instructors, update facilities, and provide the tools and technology students need to succeed. I will support financial aid programs that make community colleges and trade schools affordable for all Missourians, helping young people and adult learners build good-paying careers close to home.VeteransTrue support for our troops means honoring their service both on the battlefield and back home in our rural communities. We must ensure every veteran has seamless access to quality healthcare without driving hours to distant facilities. This starts with fully funding our rural VA clinics and expanding mental health resources tailored to those who served. Our military families represent the backbone of our country. By investing in local vocational training and protecting small-business grants, we create a thriving economy where transitioning service members can find meaningful work and keep our small towns strong. We stand for a nation that protects its defenders.Conservation and Natural ResourcesAs stewards of the land, we deeply respect the resources it provides. Our natural heritage is a testament to our ongoing conservation efforts—it must not be sold, destroyed, or clear-cut for short-term profit. Instead, we are committed to preserving these landscapes through best conservation practices, ensuring they remain vibrant for generations to come.Social Security and MedicareStand strong against any cuts to Social Security and Medicare, so farmers, factory workers, and small-town families can retire with dignity. Ensure the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share by removing the Social Security tax cap on incomes over $400,000, and support programs that encourage local employers to offer pensions, giving every rural worker a secure future after a lifetime of hard work.Small Businesses and EntrepreneurshipGrowing our local economy is my top priority. Whether it's through targeted grants for entrepreneurs or expanding job training, we need to invest in the folks who live right here and keep our towns running. Having started and run several businesses myself right here in rural Missouri, I've lived through the same challenges you face every day. I know what it takes to make payroll and keep the lights on.Economy and Good-Paying JobsWe can bring good-paying jobs back to our rural communities through common-sense investment. By modernizing our local infrastructure and expanding access to vocational training, we can prepare a workforce that is ready for the skilled careers that support a family and sustain our rural communities. Investing in these areas does more than just fill positions; it ensures our towns remain competitive and vibrant for the next generation. When we prioritize hands-on apprenticeships and reliable services, we provide our neighbors with the tools they need to build lasting careers right here at home without having to look elsewhere for opportunity.Women's ChoiceFollowing the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to return power to the states, Missourians spoke clearly by passing Amendment 3 in 2024. This historic vote restored reproductive freedom and made it clear that the people of this state want healthcare decisions to remain private. The will of the voters is the ultimate authority in our democracy, and that must be respected. Government has no business interfering in a woman's personal medical choices or interjecting itself into private healthcare decisions. It is time to honor the law as the people wrote it and keep the government out of the doctor's office. I personally believe in a compassionate approach to reproductive healthcare that respects the deeply held values of Missourians. I recognize that complex medical decisions are best made between a woman, her family, and her doctor without government interference. This means supporting common-sense protections for reproductive access while also investing in maternal health, childcare, and support systems that empower families. We can honor the sanctity of life by ensuring every child and mother has the resources to thrive. My commitment is to a balanced path that upholds the will of the people while protecting the health and dignity of every woman.LGBTQ+/Transgender RightsI respect people and their choices even if it isn't my own. Love thy neighbor as you love yourself. Not sure the rhetoric of another person having more or less rights than anyone else in this country is allowed. Don't infringe on my constitutional rights and I won't infringe on yours.TariffsEnd tariffs that are driving up the cost of everyday items—from groceries to farm equipment to clothing—so Missouri families and small businesses aren't paying more than they should.Voter ID/SAVE ActWe should not make voting (a constitutional right) more difficult. We should encourage people to exercise their right to vote. In Missouri, we already have to show ID. Your voter registration from the County Clerk or your drivers license or a non- drivers official license works. That's good enough for me.Immigration/Border SecurityWe need an immigration system that secures our nation's borders like a "front porch" —welcoming those who want to work hard and play by the rules, while keeping out those who mean us harm. It's time for an efficient and speedier process to become a naturalized citizen, and a fair path to citizenship for long-time neighbors and DREAMers. Additionally, Visas should be available to legally fill critical jobs, like on our farms or as doctors. Let's hold employers accountable for exploitation, and ensure that agencies like ICE operate with full transparency and respect for the law. We can stop the rule breakers, support our rural economy, and protect the hardworking families who help put food on our tables.2nd AmendmentI have historically championed Second Amendment rights, responsible gun ownership, and common-sense safety. This means supporting proven measures like universal background checks and secure storage that keep firearms out of the wrong hands. We can respect our traditions while demanding a future where Missouri families feel safe in schools and public spaces. My commitment is to balanced solutions that uphold constitutional rights while ensuring the safety of every Missourian.— Frank Barnitz's campaign website (July 22, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.