Rumors are swirling around Josephine County that county commissioner candidate Chris Barnett is allegedly preparing to sue the Grants Pass Tribune for libel. This comes on the heels of multiple sources, including the Grants Pass Daily Courier, reaching out to us for comment on the developing story.
While no formal lawsuit has been announced, nor have we received any documentation, the fact that rumors are flying suggests there may be some merit to the claims. Barnett, known for his involvement in various industries, has previously been accused of using heavy-handed tactics to silence those who oppose him. His critics claim that he often resorts to bullying, censorship, and filing complaints to get his way.
We have seen Barnett’s methods in action before, and this situation feels like more of the same. For too long, he has positioned himself as a victim while aggressively attacking those who challenge him. But this time, we’re making it clear: if Barnett is taking his gloves off, so are we.
Here at the Tribune, we’ve been sitting on several stories about Barnett, withheld at the request of various community members. But in light of his rumored lawsuit and ongoing attempts to discredit our reporting, we feel it’s time to expose the full truth. We’ve always reported the facts, and we will not back down in the face of his tactics.
Barnett has consistently painted the media as the enemy, accusing us of “fake news” whenever he doesn’t like what we report. This time, however, he’s in for a rude awakening. If Barnett wants to take us to court, we’re prepared to go the distance. And when the time comes, we’ll present all the evidence we’ve been holding onto—evidence that will shine a light on Barnett’s true character and his questionable ethics.
This isn’t about an election anymore. This is about standing up for the truth and refusing to be intimidated. If Barnett thinks suing us will help him win, he’s sorely mistaken. We won’t be bullied, and we certainly won’t allow him to silence us or the community.
The gloves are off, Chris. The fight is on.