Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Barnes akanga ari mukwikwidzi weRepublican nokuda kwomuchuchisi mukuru muna 1938 asi akarasikirwa kuna Paul A. Dever. Akamhanyirazve muna 1940, asi akarasikirwa nokusarudzwa kweRepublican kuna Robert T. Bushnell. Barnes aiva nhengo yeMassachusetts Governor's Council kubva muna 1943 kusvika muna 1944. Muna 1944, akakunda aimbova Lieutenant Governor Francis E. Kelly kuti ave gweta guru. Barnes akakunda Kelly zvakare muna 1946, asi akarasikirwa naye muna 1948. Akanga ari mukwikwidzi kugovernor muna 1950, asi akarasikirwa nesarudzo kuna Arthur W. Coolidge. Barnes akanga ariwo nhume kuRepublican National Convention muna 1940, 1944, 1948
, uye 1952.