Bert J. Barnett

Bert Jefferson Barnett (April 30, 1884 – March 17, 1949) was an American politician. He was the 31st State Auditor of Mississippi from 1944 to 1948 and represented Leake County for a term in the Mississippi State Senate.

Early life Bert Jefferson Barnett was born on April 30, 1884, in Standing Pine, Mississippi. He was the son of Confederate veteran John William Bennett and his wife Virginia "Jennie" Chadwick (died 1933). His siblings included future Governor Ross Barnett (1898-1987), John W. Barnett (June 1, 1893 - June 17, 1971), Dr. F. J. Barnett (c. 1874 - 1935), Mary Barnett, Nell Barnett Brown, and Ruth Barnett Phillips. Barnett attended the public schools of Leake County. He then attended Western Kentucky State Normal College and then Mississippi Normal College. He was re-elected and served a second term from 1932 to 1936. In the primary results, Barnett received 6100 votes, while W. A. Ellis received 2048 votes and Dr. O. C. Ingram received 3053 votes.

In March 1938, Barnett announced his campaign for the office of State Auditor of Mississippi for the 1940–1944 term. The campaign was formally announced on January 1, 1939. In August 1939, shortly before the first Democratic primary, a rally was held for him by citizens of Carthage in his home county. In the first primary on August 8, Barnett got the second-most votes out of four candidates. During the runoff primary on August 29, Barnett was the sole opponent of top vote getter, Field Auditor James M. Causey; Barnett lost the runoff with 134,650 votes compared to Causey's 153,580 votes.

In March 1943, Barnett announced his candidacy for auditor for the 1944–1948 term. He was inaugurated in January 1944. On January 23, 1944, Barnett announced the names of his staff, including Deputy Auditor J. S. McIlwain. His term ended in 1948. and they had one daughter, Marjorie (September 12, 1919 - February 3, 1999). Marjorie married Champion Merle Wilbourn in 1941 and they had a daughter.