Guy Barker (politician) facts for kids

Guy Barker is a politician and lawyer who is a member of the Quapaw Nation. He served as the Secretary-Treasurer for the Quapaw Nation from 2020 to 2022. In 2022, Barker also ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district. He was one of many candidates in the Republican primary election.

Early Life and Education

Guy Barker is an eighth-generation Oklahoman, meaning his family has lived in Oklahoma for many generations. He studied engineering at Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. Later, he went to law school at the Oklahoma City University School of Law and became a lawyer.

Political Career

Becoming Secretary-Treasurer of the Quapaw Nation

Before entering politics, Barker worked as an engineer in the oil industry and as a lawyer. In 2020, he decided to run for the position of Secretary-Treasurer for the Quapaw Nation. He won the election, taking over from the previous Secretary-Treasurer, Tamara Smiley-Reeves.

Barker ran for office alongside his cousin, Joseph Tali Byrd. Joseph Tali Byrd was elected as the chairman of the tribe in the same election. When Barker took office, the Quapaw Nation was working through some financial issues.

Key Actions as Secretary-Treasurer

While in office, Guy Barker worked on several important projects for the Quapaw Nation.

• He helped settle a claim for damages against the United States. This claim was related to environmental harm done to the Tar Creek area. The Quapaw Nation called this the "Bear Settlement."
• He also helped improve the credit rating of the tribe's Saracen Casino Resort. This means financial experts like Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings saw the casino as a safer investment.
• Barker also helped strengthen the tribe's criminal justice system. This happened after the Quapaw reservation was officially reestablished following a court case called McGirt v. Oklahoma.
• For his work, he was recognized as "Tribal Executive of the Year" in 2021.

Running for Congress in 2022

In 2022, Guy Barker decided to run for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. The seat was for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district. The previous representative, Markwayne Mullin, was leaving to run for a different office. Barker was one of 14 candidates in the Republican primary election. He finished in fifth place and did not move on to the next round of voting.

2022 Quapaw Nation Election

Later in 2022, Guy Barker ran for reelection as the Quapaw Nation Secretary-Treasurer. He was challenged by Kathryn "Wena" Supernaw. In the July election, Supernaw won, and Barker's term as Secretary-Treasurer ended.