Barbuto first ran for house district 48 in 2008, defeating opponent Tony Herrera.
Upon the resignation of then Representative Marty Martin, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of state Senator Rae Lynn Job, Barbuto was appointed early to his position and served briefly in the 59th Wyoming State Legislature.
Barbuto was named legislator of the year in 2010 and 2011 by the Wyoming Highway Patrol Association.
In December of 2024, Barbuto announced that he would be a candidate for Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Barbuto and his wife, Erin, live in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where she works as an educator and social worker.