Chris Barnett often emphasizes that homelessness is his primary focus, which sounds great, but isn’t that typically a City Council issue rather than a county one? Besides this, what else does Barnett prioritize? Unfortunately, not much. In fact, homelessness seems to be his sole reason for running for County Commissioner.
During interviews, Barnett often appears confused about key questions. For example, in an interview with Mike Jones, he was asked a simple question about local politics but immediately veered into his “military” persona, falsely claiming experience in big government. He mentioned plans to cut costs and eliminate departments—meaning jobs—echoing the strategies of John West and Herman Baertschiger. This response only reinforced the notion that Barnett is unaware of the full scope of the role he’s pursuing.
Instead of addressing his policies, Barnett frequently turns to his self-proclaimed title of “Commander.” Initially, he suggested this title came from the Air Force, but when confronted for what appeared to be a case of stolen valor, he changed his story, claiming that “Commander” was merely a radio moniker. He blatantly lied during the interview, only correcting himself after being called out, raising questions about his integrity. It’s clear that misleading the public for personal gain isn’t working in his favor.
Meanwhile, Barnett’s recent ORESTAR filings reveal a sharp increase in spending, raising the important question: Why would someone making nearly $1 million a year want a job that pays less than $100,000? What other motivations might he have?
In politics, when something feels off, it usually is. Josephine County’s political arena has long been fraught with “dirty pool,” and it’s difficult to ignore the signs of something questionable happening. With John West and Simon Hare already pulling strings in the county’s political scene, Barnett appears poised to further this questionable agenda. Is his candidacy part of a broader scheme?
Barnett insists that if elected, he will leave his real estate business and commit fully to being County Commissioner. But how realistic is this? As the principal broker for two agencies, hommati Real Estate and Realty Executives, he must oversee transactions and be present during business hours. Given the demands of this role, stepping away entirely seems unlikely. Is Barnett misleading voters by promising something that’s not feasible?
Furthermore, Barnett runs “Real Live News,” a local journalism project where he reports on community activities. This raises questions about his objectivity and whether the venture was designed to boost his public image ahead of the election. If elected, will he continue as a journalist? And if so, how will this impact his ability to focus on his duties as commissioner? Ethical concerns arise regarding whether he can balance journalism, real estate, and politics effectively.
Barnett is also involved with the Civil Air Patrol, where he works with youth groups across Southern Oregon. This role, along with his part-time position as a DJ for KAJO, also demands time and commitment. While DJing may not be intellectually taxing, it still requires planning and effort. With so many roles on his plate, how can Barnett realistically dedicate himself to being a full-time commissioner?
Adding to the mix are his family obligations, which include a wife, three children, and several pets. It’s hard to see how Barnett has enough hours in the day to manage all these commitments while serving as commissioner.
Given his financial success, the question remains: Why would Barnett pursue a lower-paying public office? Is it really about public service, or are there other, more self-serving motivations at play? Some suggest his run for office may be connected to personal enrichment or influence through his real estate dealings. Critics are urging voters to look deeper into his campaign finances, real estate activities, and public behavior—particularly concerning his alleged pressure on advertisers to boycott critical media outlets along with his Elder Abuse lawsuit in Coo’s County.
As election day approaches, voters must consider these conflicting roles and unanswered questions. Is Chris Barnett truly capable of setting aside his business ventures and personal ambitions for the good of the community, or are his intentions far more self-serving?
