Joseph William Barnett Jr. (August 4, 1929 – January 5, 2025) was an American politician from the state of Montana. He served as a Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives from 1991 to 2001.
Life and career Barnett was born in the Horseshoe Hills, north of Manhattan, Montana. He was the son of Joseph William and Francis () Barnett, and he was orphaned by the age of eight. He was raised in Manhattan, and attended Montana State College, earning a bachelor's degree in physical education. He married Janelle Stitt in 1949, and they remained married until her death in 2021. He served in the U.S. Air Force, then was hired by Bozeman High School in 1956 as a history teacher and coach, earned a master's degree in administration from Montana State, and taught until 1984. In 1963, he and his wife purchased a beekeeping business, which would grow into his fulltime profession.
In 1990, Barnett ran for the Montana House of Representatives, narrowly defeating incumbent Democrat Vernon Westlake. He was re-elected with ease four times, then in 2000, he was term-limited and decided to run for a seat in the Montana Senate. He lost that election to fellow state representative Emily Swanson. He died at his home in Belgrade, Montana, on January 5, 2025, at the age of 95.
Electoral history 1990 Primary election
General election
1992 Primary election
General election
1994 Primary election
General election
1996 Primary election
General election
1998 Primary election
General election
2000 Primary election
General election
References