Shocker: Frontrunner Barnwell withdraws from key state House race in Warren

After Derek Miller of Warren was appointed as the new Macomb County treasurer, abandoning his state House seat after just a year, the resulting vacancy shaped up as a race that would be Bill Barnwell’s to lose.

But Barnwell shook up the political system in Macomb County this afternoon by announcing that he was withdrawing from the 28^th District House race.

In the heavily Democratic 28^th District, centered in Michigan’s third-largest city, Warren, the Barnwell decision means that voters will face an August primary election choice between Lori Stone, an educator, and city Councilman Patrick Green. However, watch for several additional candidates to enter the fray before the April 19 filing deadline.

After a crushing 19-vote loss in his bid for county commissioner in 2014, Barnwell had entered 2016 as possibly the most unique state House candidate in recent memory – a church minister and a criminal defense attorney. After his wife, Lori, won the Warren city treasurer race over an incumbent by landslide proportions in November (the couple is pictured above), the Barnwell brand seemed to be on the rise.

In a Facebook message to www.politicscentral.org, Barnwell said this:

I have helped some people beat charges who I was convinced did nothing wrong, and that’s a great feeling. For many others, they did do something wrong and I have helped them get treatment and get their lives on track, which is also a great feeling.

I also love a good fight. And every case presents its own fight, whether you are looking to go all the way and win it or whether you are trying to get the best possible deal for your client that isn’t always easy to get. I like giving a voice to people who have no one else speaking for them, and whom many in society would just prefer give up on. I like standing up against the odds and giving a case my all. A lot of attorneys are burned out, disillusioned and are tired of the hustle. I like the action. It’s great fun and very satisfying.

Barnwell did not indicate whether he will make an endorsement in the 28^th District race.