Josephine County is facing a political crisis that cuts to the core of democracy, transparency, and civil liberties. The behavior of County Commissioner Chris Barnett has escalated beyond typical political rhetoric into a pattern of misinformation, targeted intimidation, and abuse of power. This is no longer about a disagreement over policy or ideology. This is about a public official who appears willing to weaponize his position and his platform to silence critics, distort the truth, and turn supporters into instruments of harassment.
At the center of this controversy is a letter sent to Commissioner Barnett, legal counsel for Josephine County, the District Attorney, and the Sheriff’s Department. The letter challenges the Commissioner to provide evidence for false claims he has made, accusing both the Grants Pass Tribune and private citizens of participating in a recall campaign against him without any factual basis. The letter cites Oregon statutes prohibiting the knowing dissemination of false information during a campaign, as well as defamation laws that hold individuals accountable when lies are spread with reckless disregard for the truth.
Despite these clear legal standards, Commissioner Barnett’s use of lies, deflection, and manufactured narratives continues. His online “news” platforms and social media accounts have become central tools for publishing fake and misleading information about his critics. These tactics have been coupled with an escalating campaign of intimidation and bullying, extending beyond the Commissioner himself to his network of supporters who are encouraged—sometimes implicitly, sometimes explicitly—to speculate about, harass, and intimidate community members who question or oppose him.
This pattern is neither isolated nor benign. The damage caused by this deliberate misuse of power is real and measurable. One private citizen, who has become a frequent target since beginning to attend weekly commissioner meetings, has been under relentless personal attack by Barnett and his followers. Their rights to participate in government, speak freely, and live without fear have been eroded through coordinated public smears and digital harassment.
The Commissioner’s online publications have explicitly interfered with the target’s ability to secure employment, blocking at least two separate job opportunities as a result of the defamatory material published. Supporters aligned with Barnett have even contacted the citizen’s ex-wife through her business in an attempt to gather personal information for the purpose of blackmail. In the comments sections of Barnett-associated platforms, the volume of threats, lies, and targeted defamation has grown to the point where the safety of the targeted individual and their family is now in jeopardy simply for exercising their First Amendment rights.
What is unfolding is not a routine political dispute. It is a textbook case of power being wielded against private citizens to suppress dissent and chill free speech. If this is allowed to continue unchecked, Josephine County risks normalizing behavior that undermines democratic governance and civic participation.
Oregon law is unambiguous about the dissemination of false information during campaigns. Under ORS 260.532, knowingly publishing or circulating false statements of material fact about candidates, measures, or political committees is prohibited. ORS 260.715 reinforces that knowingly making false statements within the context of election laws is not tolerated. Defamation law, particularly ORS Chapter 31, provides civil remedies for individuals harmed by false and defamatory statements. Yet despite these clear legal frameworks, Barnett’s pattern of behavior continues without visible intervention from law enforcement or ethics commissions, raising questions about the accountability mechanisms in Josephine County government.
The broader implications are alarming. If a sitting County Commissioner can publish false information, orchestrate online smear campaigns, and encourage intimidation of citizens without consequence, then the integrity of local governance is at risk. The First Amendment guarantees the right of citizens to attend meetings, express opinions, and challenge public officials without fear of retaliation. When those rights are undermined through official platforms, coordinated misinformation, and harassment, the foundation of democratic engagement begins to crack.
This is not only a legal and ethical issue; it is also a financial one. Each time a public official engages in misconduct that leads to lawsuits, the taxpayers of Josephine County are the ones who pay the price. If the Commissioner’s actions result in defamation claims, civil rights lawsuits, or election law violations, the County itself faces exposure to significant legal liability. This is not theoretical. Oregon counties have previously paid out large settlements when officials abused their authority or violated constitutional rights. The fact that such risks appear to be disregarded speaks volumes about the Commissioner’s priorities.
The reliance on mud-slinging, intimidation, and misinformation reflects a governing style that substitutes personal vendettas for leadership. Instead of focusing on policy solutions, economic development, or community engagement, Barnett has chosen to cultivate division and hostility. His response to criticism is not to address concerns with transparency, but to launch personal attacks and deflect responsibility. This is not governance; it is spectacle and manipulation.
The community must recognize the stakes. If this kind of conduct is tolerated or ignored, it becomes the new political norm. Josephine County residents should not have to accept lies, bullying, and harassment from elected officials as part of everyday politics. The public should not be forced to choose between exercising their constitutional rights and safeguarding their personal safety or livelihoods. Local government must not be allowed to devolve into a tool for personal retaliation and fearmongering.
The letter sent to Commissioner Barnett makes it clear: the continuation of these actions will not go unanswered. It demands evidence, a formal retraction, and a public apology. It also warns of legal consequences if these demands are ignored. But ultimately, this issue goes beyond one letter or one legal battle. It is about whether Josephine County’s institutions will uphold the rule of law and protect citizens from the abuse of power by those elected to serve them.
Law enforcement and ethics bodies must step in. Failing to act emboldens further misconduct and signals to officials that accountability is optional. The Commissioner’s actions are not only corrosive to trust in government—they may soon expose the County to lawsuits that will affect every taxpayer. Power unchecked becomes power abused, and that is precisely what appears to be unfolding here.
The question now is whether its institutions, leaders, and residents will confront these abuses and reaffirm the principles of transparency, accountability, and individual rights—or whether intimidation and misinformation will become the accepted tools of political survival. The future of civic life in this county hinges on that choice, and if local authorities fail to act, Josephine County could ultimately find itself at the center of a federal grand jury investigation.