Ben Barnes

Former politician and Lt. Governor of Texas Ben Barnes was the face of Texas politics in the 60s and early 70s. His meteoric boost through the ranks is somewhat of a legend in the Lone Star State. In a thirteen year span Barnes climbed through the ranks and reached the plateau of Lt. Governor in 1969 and held the position until 1973. The Texas Constitution is written up so the Lt. Governor wields a considerable amount of power, rivaling that of the Governor. With his election to the Lt. Governor of Texas, Ben Barnes joined a long list of outstanding Lt. Governors of Texas:

Ben Ramsey
1951 - 1963
Preston E. Smith
1963 - 1969
Ben Barnes
1969 - 1973
William Pettus Hobby, Jr.
1973 - 1991
Robert D. Bullock
1991 - 1999
James Richard Perry
1999 - 2000
Perry became governor on December 21, 2000, when George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States.
Bill Ratliff
2000 - 2003
On December 28, 2000 Bill Ratliff was chosen by the Senate to serve as lieutenant governor.
David Dewhurst
2003 - Present

The Texas State Library and Archives commission records the term of Ben Barnes, from 1969-1973.