Scott Barnett has spent over 25 years in local government, politics and public policy issues and is a recognized expert in these areas. Mr. Barnett's quarter century of political involvement has encompassed over 100 elections including campaigns on local, state and federal level.

In 2003 Scott Barnett formed TaxpayersAdvocate.org a private, non-partisan fiscal watchdog organization based in San Diego and Sacramento. In addition to analyzing fiscal policy, ballot measures and legislation, TaxpayersAdvocate.org endorses candidates for public office in California.

Other Activities:
In 2006 in response to the US Supreme Courts Kelo decision, Mr. Barnett at the urging of concerned citizens and small business owners co-founded ProtectOurProperty.org, in order to educate the public about the abuses of eminent domain and to support legislation which will return balance to the eminent domain process.

In 2005 Mr. Barnett took a year off to write about San Diego civic and political issues for the San Diego Reader, earning praise for his thorough and balanced articles.

In 2003 and 2004 Mr. Barnett was a political consultant working in various San Diego elections.

From December 2001 to June 2003 Mr. Barnett served as President/CEO of the Lincoln Club, a GOP donor group.

The Lincoln Club of San Diego County consists of business and civic leaders and supports quality education and public policy that promotes economic opportunity and an enhanced quality of life for all the citizens in our community. During his 18 month tenure, Mr. Barnett oversaw the re-positioning of this 20-year old organization, re-inserting it as a critical player in local politics. Mr. Barnett recruited 150 new members and raised $275,000 in campaign funds for local candidates.

Mr. Barnett served the previous Seven years (December 1994 to December 2001) as executive director of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA). The Taxpayers Association, a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1945, is dedicated to promoting cost effective and efficient government, and opposing unnecessary taxes and fees. During his years as ED, Mr. Barnett oversaw the extraordinary growth in the influence and participation by SDCTA in local government issues. Mr. Barnett's tenure saw the initiation of the SDCTA Golden Fleece and Golden watchdog Awards, which has become one of the regions most celebrated and eagerly anticipated local events.

Starting in 1988 Mr. Barnett spent two years in real estate and then the subsequent Four years as a political consultant.

In 1984 at age 21, Mr. Barnett was elected to the Del Mar City Council, becoming the youngest elected official in California. During his four-year tenure on the Del Mar City Council, Mr. Barnett also served as the City of Del Mar's representative on the board of Directors of the North County Transit District and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). 

During his 25 years of participation in public issues, Mr. Barnett has developed lasting relationships with political and community leaders as well as extraordinary access to print and electronic media. Mr. Barnett has appeared on local, state and national media hundreds of times successfully communicating and advocating on behalf of important issues. He was dubbed by one reporter as “King of the Sound-bite,” praising Mr. Barnett’s skill at encapsulating complex issues in concise phrases.

Mr. Barnett has guest lectured on numerous occasions at local universities and taught an Urban Studies Class at UC San Diego on the Politics of Public Infrastructure.

Mr. Barnett was born in New York City in 1962 and moved to San Diego with his family in 1973. He has two daughters and lives in San Diego.