Robert Barnette, candidate for the House of Delegates from the 55th district, has lived in Hanover County for 15 years. He chose Hanover County as the place to raise his family and join the corporate team at Reynolds Metals Company.

Robert Barnette’s story is like that of many Virginians. He has made the American dream come true through hard work, education, dedication and service. Robert grew up on a tobacco farm in Mecklenburg County, near the little farming community of Chase City.  He had 4 brothers and 3 sisters, and he was taught at an early age the family values of hard work, dedication to God, home and country and that in America, anything would be possible. He saw his father and mother work long, hard hours to support their family. Like his brothers and sisters, his first job was on the family farm. At the age of 10, he was a dedicated helper in charge of harvesting local farmers' tobacco crop.

At the same time, while he worked hard on the family farm, Robert kept up his studies. His parents realized the value of education, and taught their children that education was the key to their future. After completing high school at the top of his class, Robert served in the United States Air Force and then enlisted in the Virginia Air National Guard.  While in the Virginia Air National Guard, Robert served as fire protection specialist, supervisor, Assistant and Deputy Fire Chief, Support Group First Sergeant, Human Resource Advisor and State Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Virginia Air National Guard.

Robert spent four years on active duty as a Fire Protection Specialist- learning from those he led and who led him, and preparing for any challenge that would arise. Answering President Bush’s call to win the war on terrorism and restore pride in our Armed Forces, Robert served in Desert Storm. At the conclusion of hostilities, Robert remained in the Air National Guard and served as Support Group First Sergeant, Human Resource Advisor and State Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Virginia Air National Guard.

Understanding the importance of education, Robert worked hard to receive an associate degree in Fire Science from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety, from Virginia Commonwealth University and master’s degree in General Administration from  Central Michigan University  He also attended the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leaders Program.  At the Sorensen Institute, Robert studied general ethical principles as they relate to public service including practical application of bipartisan cooperation in politics and the use of mediation techniques.

In the private sector, Robert served as job training and safety coordinator for Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, corporate safety specialist for Reynolds Metals Company, safety and occupational health resource coordinator for DuPont.  Robert is president and CEO of Barnette & Associates, Inc. which provides safety and loss prevention programs and training for hundreds of employees working for local corporations.

Robert has been an active leader in our community. He is the chairman of the Hanover Democratic Committee. And he has served as chair of the Hanover Community Service Board, completed the Hanover Planning Academy, and is an active member of the VCU Alumni Association.  Robert is an active member of the Hanover Rotary seeking to become a Paul Harris fellow. A member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Robert has served on the Deacon Board for many years including serving as its chair.  He is a member of the VFW and also served at president of the Colonial Virginia Chapter of the ASSE and is currently the 1st vice president of the Virginia Army/Air National Guard Association.

Today, Robert Barnette lives in Mechanicsville with his wife, Janice.  They have two daughters, Alicia Mickleberry and Ashley Barnette; one son-in-law, Corey Mickleberry; and two grandchildren, Jasmine and Madison.

Because he came up the hard way and succeeded through hard work, because he values service to his country and his family, Robert has not forgotten what it’s like to struggle to achieve the American dream. He has not forgotten what it’s like to fight for your family’s survival. He has not become entrenched in big business. He understands the burdens taxes place on family. He understands how education is the key to lifelong success. Robert carries this understanding, not in a speech, not in a portfolio in a desk drawer, but in his life’s history, in his family’s chronicle of survival, and in his heart. He will not forget Hanover voters when you send him to work in the Virginia General Assembly as the representative from the 55th district.

As a delegate, Robert will take his demonstrated experience and principled leadership to Richmond. He will proudly represent the people of the 55th District and their values. He will fight for tax reform; he will modernize and improve education with new school construction and smaller class sizes; and Robert will work to provide local government leaders with the tools they need to manage growth effectively and succeed economically.

Please vote for Robert. A vote for Robert is a vote for Hanover County, a vote for our children’s future, a vote for what makes Hanover a very wonderful place to live.

Robert knows there are no shortcuts to success. Robert's military career, community service, business experience, and leadership roles have taught him that success comes from hard work and dedication. That’s the experience he’ll take with him to the House of Delegates.