A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represented District 32B, which included portions of Chisago County just north of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
On February 5, 2013, Representative Barrett was fined $1000 for disseminating campaign literature that misrepresented the record of his opponent in the previous election.
The Administrative Law Judge Panel concluded that the false information "likely had some impact on voters" in Barrett's 51%/49% victory.
Evidence submitted included photos of the empty house and affidavits from neighbors claiming that Barrett indeed, was not observed as being a resident of the home in question.
In early August, evidence collected from a group of advocates was entered into a formal complaint against Barrett and his claim of residency in his own district.
He noted that Barrett had maintained virtually no physical presence at the house for at least six months before the election, as required by the state constitution.
Stephenson also questioned claims that Barrett's wife didn't feel safe at the Taylors Falls house, since the relevant documents were not available to her until three months later.