ABOUT BARBIE
Barbie Harden Hall was born and raised in Lake County, Florida where both sides of her family have called home for several generations. She was heavily influenced by her grandfather who ensured Church and faith were foundational in life. He helped to instill the value of service to others, especially when no one was watching, that she still uses today in her work and advocacy.
Barbie met her husband, Ryan, at West Orange Church of Christ in Winter Garden when they were teenagers, marrying fifteen years later in 2015. They have been blessed with four wonderful children (Eisley, Reese, Everett, Brady).
Becoming a parent led Barbie on an unexpected path. Her family became victims of a system that too often disregards families in need. In 2019, Barbie and Ryan had their third child Everett who appeared healthy and would hit regular growth benchmarks. However, two years later, Everett would be diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy, a fatal rare genetic disease. Although he was given a prognosis of approximately five years to live, he would pass away just six months later. Through questions about treatment and diagnoses, Barbie and her family experienced firsthand the cruelty of a system that turns its back on the vulnerable, something that too many families experience when their children are diagnosed with complex medical needs. She saw families and children struggle to receive necessary services and equipment from health insurance companies–having to spend the final months of their children’s lives arguing for important care.
Barbie is a mom who never expected to run for Congress. But losing her son in 2022, and then seeing how unwilling Congressman Daniel Webster was to meet with constituents–even those wanting to discuss sick and dying children–made her realize that change HAD to happen.
This realization led Barbie to become an advocate for the mothers like her who did not have the time and ability to urge legislators for needed changes while being full-time caregivers to their children. She has walked the halls of Congress to be a voice for kids who cannot speak up for themselves. Barbie is running to replace an out-of-touch career politician and she understands, more than most, that our families are worth fighting for–no matter what the need may be.
Barbie is continuing her family’s legacy of service in Mount Dora where she grew up where she lives with her husband and three children. She and her husband own and operate a family lawn and landscaping business locally. She received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a specialization in American Politics and Public Administration from Troy University in May 2025.