Early Political Career
On December 19, 1904, Barkley declared his candidacy for county attorney of McCracken County well before the March 1905 Democratic primary. In the heavily Democratic county, the Republicans did not put forward a nominee, so the Democratic primary was the de facto general election. Barkley faced two opponents in the primary – incumbent Eugene A. Graves, seeking a third term, and Paducah Police Court Judge David Cross. He organized his own campaign and made campaign speeches across the county, showcasing his eloquence and likeability. Graves received more votes than Barkley in the city of Paducah, but the votes of McCracken County's rural farmers gave Barkley the victory in the primary by a vote of 1,525, to 1,096; Cross came in third with 602 votes. The race marked the only time in Barkley's political career that he challenged an incumbent Democrat.
Barkley took office in January 1906 and made a name for himself by challenging improper charges to the county's account, saving local taxpayers over $35,000. He prosecuted two magistrates on the county's Fiscal Court for approving contracts in which they had a conflict of interest. Even Republicans admitted that he generally performed well in his office. As a result, he was selected president of the State Association of County Attorneys. He served as the official county spokesman of the Democratic Party during the 1907 gubernatorial election, and despite his previous support for the Gold Democrats, backed William Jennings Bryan in the 1908 presidential election.
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