A lifelong resident of Washington County, Senator J. Barry Stout was born November 7, 1936 in Fargo, Pennsylvania. He is the son of William B. and Mary Watkins Stout. On July 18, 1959, the senator married Lenore Ann Thompson. The couple has 5 daughters and 1 son (Lisa Bashioum, Lori Jansante, Sharee Stout, John B.T. Stout, Shannon Hemmingson, and Bethany Stout) and 14 grandchildren.

The senator received a Bachelor of Science from Washington & Jefferson College in 1964. Also, Stout attended the Pittsburgh School of Mortuary Science and served as Washington County Deputy Coroner. From 1959 to 1962, Stout served in the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers.

Stout was originally elected to the state House of Representatives in 1970 and re-elected in 1972 and 1974. He was next elected to the state Senate in a special election on May 17, 1977. He won re-election the next year and has served continuously since then. Stout represents the 46th Senatorial District, which includes Washington, Greene, Beaver, Westmoreland, and Allegheny Counties.

Senator Stout is the Democratic chairman of the Transportation Committee and serves on the following Senate committees: Appropriations, Environmental Resources and Energy, and Policy. In addition, he serves on the Local Government Commission, State Transportation Commission, Rail Freight Advisory Committee, Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, and Aviation Advisory Committee.

Senator Stout's major legislative achievement is generating initial financing of $1.65 billion for the second largest highway project in the nation – the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway, located in southwestern Pennsylvania. This new transportation infrastructure promises to aid in the economic recovery and revitalization of the region for generations to come.

The senator has participated in the following fraternal, social, service, and civic organizations: Bentleyville Boosters Club (built Carmel Park for boys’ baseball); Bentleyville Public Library (former president); Bentleyville Planning Commission; Lodge 237; F&AM; Shrine and various Masonic organizations; Regional Planning Commission (former member); Mon Valley Tri-State Network (board member); Charleroi Anniversary Celebration (advisory board member).

Senator Stout is a member of the following political organizations: Washington County Democratic Party Executive Committee (member); Electoral College (representing the 22nd Congressional District in 1976); various county, state, and federal campaigns (chairman/coordinator).

Stout’s other accomplishments include the following: Washington County Library Award; Constructors Association of Western PA Man of the Year Award (1992); Transportation Advocate of the Year (1998); Through hard-work and dedication a portion of the Mon-Fayette Expressway was named the J. BARRY STOUT EXPRESSWAY (2002); the MIDA annual Chuck Chattaway Award (2002); Keystone Railroad Association Legislator of the Year (2003); the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) 2005 Robert E. Pearson Person of the Year Award Recipient (National); United Labor Committee of Washington County “Man of the Year” (2004).