Toby Barker

Toby Barker is an American politician and the current Mayor of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In 2007, he was elected a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 102nd District. At the age of 25, Barker became the then-youngest legislator elected in Mississippi's history. He is a former member of the Republican Party. In 2017, Barker ran as an independent and defeated four-term incumbent Johnny DuPree to become Hattiesburg's 35th mayor.
The 2025 mayoral election was held on June 3, 2025, alongside other Hattiesburg municipal races. Barker was eligible for re-election to a third four-year term. Primary elections were canceled, as no one else challenged him for the seat.
Barker is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and a Master of Science degree in Economic Development. He also holds a Master of Healthcare Leadership degree from Brown University.