Hi, I'm Kylie.
Hello there, my wonderful friends! I’m Kylie Barber, and I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I am running as a Republican candidate for the Arizona State House of Representatives, Legislative District 9, in 2024!
Let’s take a moment to get to know each other better. I was born and raised right here in the beautiful city of Mesa, Arizona. As the youngest of seven children, I grew up in a loving household with dedicated parents who celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in May 2024. Let’s raise a toast to their enduring love and commitment! Growing up in a large family not only taught me to be the first at the dinner table, but also instilled in me strong family values that are at the very core of who I am. I firmly believe that parents are the true experts on their children, and their right to raise them according to their conscience is paramount and must be respected above all. Prioritizing and supporting cohesive family units is fundamental to building a thriving society.
My involvement in the community began at an early age. I actively participated in my church, volunteered at a local retirement center, engaged in extracurricular activities, and attended Highland Elementary, Poston Junior High, and Mountain View Highschool. These experiences fostered a deep sense of purpose towards servant leadership, a commitment that continues to guide me to this day.
Throughout my life, I’ve been passionate about advocating for children and families. To better understand their needs and challenges, I pursued an undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Arizona State University. Eager to delve deeper into this important field, I moved to Chicago, Illinois, where I earned a master’s degree in Child Development with a specialization in infancy and new language learners from the Erikson Institute, as well as, a Master’s of Jurisprudence in Children’s Law and Policy from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Understanding the vital role of national security in safeguarding families, I furthered my education in 2021 by earning a Master’s of Legal Studies in International Rule of Law and Security from the Arizona State University School of Law.
As part of my professional life, I had the opportunity to work in Washington, D.C. advocating for children with rare diseases on Capitol Hill. This experience deepened my understanding of the critical importance of prioritizing the well-being of children and families in our country. In 2020, I returned to my beloved hometown of Mesa to continue my work advocating for the best interests of children and families right here in Arizona.
Our community is my home, and I feel an unbreakable connection to it. I marvel at the continuous change, growth, and expansion of our tight knit community here in Mesa. We aren’t just residents; we are a family. One of the single most important things we can do to guard against the dissipation and division of our Mesa community is to develop a strong family narrative around our common American values. As your representative, my mission is to unify our community around a narrative that emphasizes freedom, strong family values, and personal excellence. Together, we can build a brighter future for our children and families here in Arizona.
Proudly Supported by Representative Justin Wilmeth
Prioritizing our Community
We need a robust economy in Arizona, one that fosters growth, creates jobs, and ensures prosperity for all residents. I am deeply committed to addressing the economic challenges facing our state, including the pressing issue of inflation. It’s clear that rising prices are impacting the budgets of hardworking families and threatening the viability of businesses across Arizona. I am committed to implementing solutions that reduce inflation and promote economic stability for all Arizonans. By promoting fiscal responsibility, regulatory reform, infrastructure investment, and workforce development, we can address inflationary pressures and build a stronger, more prosperous future for all Arizona families. To achieve this, I will advocate for tax cuts that stimulate investment and entrepreneurship, allowing businesses to thrive and create jobs while putting more money back into the pockets of Arizona families.
I believe that securing our Arizona-Mexico border is imperative for the safety and sovereignty of our nation. It is a responsibility we owe to our citizens and our communities. The situation at our border is not just a matter of immigration policy, but also a matter of national security. The uncontrolled flow of illegal immigrants across our border not only poses a significant threat to our country’s security, but also places children and families who come to the border with the intention of crossing in grave danger. It is unacceptable that our border patrol agents are overwhelmed and unable to effectively carry out their duties due to the sheer volume of illegal crossings. Furthermore, the lack of proper border security has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with human traffickers taking advantage of vulnerable individuals, including women and children. This exploitation is unacceptable and goes against our American values of compassion and respect for human dignity. I understand that our country has a proud history of being a melting pot of cultures and that immigrants have contributed greatly to our nation’s success. However, we must also recognize that a nation without secure borders is not a sovereign nation. We must have the ability to control and protect those who enter our country and ensure that they do so legally. I propose increased funding for border security measures, including advanced technology and personnel, while also advocating for streamlined processes to allow for legal immigration pathways that uphold our values and support economic growth.
I believe in empowering parents to make the best choices for their children’s education. Every child deserves access to high-quality education, regardless of their zip code or income level. I stand firm in advocating for the right of parents to select the educational environment that aligns with their values, beliefs, and their child’s unique needs. Whether it’s traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools, homeschooling, or other innovative options, parents should have the freedom to choose what works best for their family. This isn’t just about education; it’s about liberty and parental rights. Parents are the experts on their children, and they should have the authority to determine how and where their children are educated. It’s a matter of empowering families, promoting competition, and fostering innovation in education the yields the highest academic achievements for Arizona’s children. To support this vision, I will champion the expansion of school choice initiatives, including protecting education savings accounts and voucher programs, ensuring every parent has the financial means to choose the best educational path for their child.
In 2020, my older brother Brian was killed due to a drug related incident. Fentanyl, along with other illicit drugs, continue to devastate the lives of far too many families in Arizona. Drug trafficking organizations are flooding our neighborhoods with potent drugs often being mixed with other drugs, like heroin or counterfeit prescription pills, leading to unintentional overdoses. I aim to advocate for policies that support local law enforcement, target drug trafficking organizations, increase access to addiction treatment and recovery services, and promote personal responsibility and self-reliance. I propose establishing task forces that collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement to dismantle drug trafficking networks, while also investing in community-based recovery programs that empower individuals to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.
Access to quality childcare and early childhood education is essential for the well-being of our children, the ability of parents to pursue their careers, and the continued growth of the Arizona economy. Quality childcare and early childhood education lay the foundation for a child’s future success. Moreover, access to quality childcare allows parents to enter or remain in the workforce, contributing to the vitality of our economy. Arizona’s childcare crisis is characterized by a significant shortage of affordable, high-quality childcare options, and workforce retainment across the state. My solution prioritizes market-based solutions, affordability, parental choice, workforce development, and collaboration between public and private sectors. To tackle this issue, I will advocate for tax incentives for childcare providers and parents, encouraging investment in high-quality facilities and creating a competitive market that benefits families.
Healthcare is a fundamental aspect of our lives, and ensuring access to quality care is a top priority. I strive to implement solutions that prioritize affordability, choice, and innovation in healthcare. I support reforms that emphasize the freedom of individuals to select their healthcare providers, treatment options, and insurance plans based on their unique needs and preferences. As a lifelong athlete, I also I recognize the importance of investing in preventative care and wellness initiatives. By promoting healthy lifestyles and early intervention, we can reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases and ultimately decrease healthcare expenditures for both individuals and the state. I will push for initiatives that allow for greater competition in the healthcare market, including association health plans and health savings accounts, to give Arizonans more control over their healthcare choices.
Born and raised in the Arizona desert, I recognize water as a precious resource that must be managed wisely. Access to clean and abundant water is not only essential for our health and well-being but also for the success of our economy and the preservation of our natural environment. I aim to prioritize the protection of property rights and the promotion of free-market solutions to water management challenges. Empowering local communities and private entities to take the lead in water conservation efforts fosters competition, innovation, and accountability. By reducing bureaucratic red tape and streamlining regulatory processes, we can encourage investment in water infrastructure projects and facilitate responsible resource management at the grassroots level.
Arizona’s space economy has been steadily growing, largely driven by a combination of government investment, private sector initiatives, and academic research. Our state has a strong presence in aerospace manufacturing, satellite technology, and defense contracting. Opportunities for growth lie in fostering closer collaboration between state agencies, research institutions, and other entities to attract more contracts and investments to our state. Arizona’s universities, including Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, are actively engaged in space research and education. I would like to see Arizona capitalize on this by investing in workforce development programs tailored to the space industry, infrastructure development including launch facilities, and manufacturing centers, and positioning itself as a hub for space tourism. To maximize this potential, I will advocate for state grants and partnerships that stimulate private investment in space-related startups, creating a thriving ecosystem that drives innovation and job creation in Arizona’s space sector.
Do you live in LD9?
Our district is centered around the core of Mesa!
Do you live in sunny, bustling LD9? Find out with my interactive map!