Meet Antony

Biography

At a Glance

Antony Barran is an entrepreneur, regenerative oyster farmer, and community builder. For more than thirty-five years he has started companies, created jobs, and helped organizations grow. Over a decade ago he and Cora moved to Southwest Washington to build something new and became deeply involved in the community through aquaculture, environmental restoration, workforce development, and youth mentorship. Today Antony is running for Congress to bring a builder’s mindset to Washington and focus on improving the standard of living across Southwest Washington.

An Immigrant Family Story

My story begins with my family’s journey to America. My maternal grandparents fled Soviet oppression in Lithuania after the Second World War. Like so many families escaping tyranny in Eastern Europe, they were searching for something simple but powerful: Freedom and opportunity.

Eventually they made their way to the United States and began building a new life. In our family every one of us shared that first generation immigrant experience. My maternal grandparents, my mother, my father, my brother, and I all arrived in this country as immigrants. That experience shaped how I see the world.

Immigrants have always been at the heart of America’s success. For generations people have come here with the same determination my family had. They came to work hard, build something meaningful, and create a better future for their children. That spirit has driven American innovation and economic growth for more than two centuries.

If we want that success to continue, we need immigration policies that reflect reality. For too long Washington has avoided the hard work of creating a rational immigration system that respects the rule of law while recognizing the economic and cultural contributions immigrants bring to this country. It is a conversation we should have honestly, because America’s future will continue to be shaped by people who arrive here determined to build something better.

Learning to Build

My own career did not follow a straight path. Instead I learned through experience, persistence, and a willingness to take risks. Early in my career I worked in hospitality and sales, learning firsthand how businesses operate and how hard people work to make them succeed. Eventually I moved into advertising and marketing, where I spent decades helping companies grow and compete. Over time I moved from advising businesses to building them myself.

I founded and grew KDA Group, transforming it from a startup into a company with offices across the country and tens of millions in annual revenue. Like most entrepreneurial journeys, it involved risk, uncertainty, and long stretches where success was far from guaranteed. But building something from the ground up teaches lessons that stay with you for life: You learn how jobs are created. You learn how markets work. And you learn that real progress comes from people willing to take responsibility and build something that did not exist before.

A Partnership with Cora

None of that journey would have happened without Cora. We have been together since we were teenagers—we are high school sweethearts who have been together for over thirty-five years. She has always been my partner in every sense of the word.

Cora built a remarkable career of her own. She earned an undergraduate degree in statistics and later an MBA, and went on to lead national advertising at Farmers Insurance. She brings an analytical mindset to everything we do, balancing my entrepreneurial instincts with discipline and strategic thinking.

Together we have built businesses, raised a family, and taken more than a few leaps of faith along the way.

Choosing Southwest Washington

More than a decade ago, Cora and I moved to Southwest Washington. We did not come here with a grand plan. We came with curiosity and a desire to become part of the community. Over time we built friendships with fishermen, farmers, teachers, small business owners, and families who had lived here for generations. Those relationships eventually led us into aquaculture. In 2019 we co-founded Willapa Wild, an oyster farm dedicated to regenerative practices and environmental restoration. What began as a business idea quickly became something much more meaningful.

"If you see a problem, do not wait for permission to solve it."

Restoring What Nature Built

One of the most remarkable things we discovered on our farm was watching eelgrass return naturally to the bay. For more than a century many oyster farms removed eelgrass because it made farming easier. We decided to stop fighting nature and allow the ecosystem to recover. The results have been extraordinary. Eelgrass beds have expanded, creating habitat for marine life and helping stabilize the bay’s ecosystem. At the same time the native Olympia oyster, nearly driven to extinction in the nineteenth century, began returning to our beds on its own.

Today our farm is possibly the largest privately funded eelgrass restoration effort in the United States. It is a powerful reminder that economic activity and environmental stewardship can work together when approached with common sense.

Investing in Community

Living here has also meant becoming part of the community in meaningful ways. I volunteer with the local high school shop class building small boats with students, working with both traditional wood construction and modern fiberglass techniques. It is hands on work that teaches craftsmanship, patience, and pride in building something real.

At the same time, I serve on the board of PacMtn, the organization responsible for workforce development across Southwest Washington. Working with students in a shop class gives you a ground level view of opportunity. Serving on the board gives you a strategic perspective on how our region prepares for the future of work. Both experiences reinforce the same belief: When we invest in people’s skills and opportunities, communities thrive.

Why I’m Running

Washington does not have a shortage of politicians. What it often lacks are people who have spent their lives building things. Entrepreneurs. Farmers. Builders. People who understand how jobs are created and how communities grow. Southwest Washington is one of the most diverse and complex regions in the country. Our district includes coastal fisheries, working forests, manufacturing, agriculture, ports, tourism, and a rapidly growing technology sector. That kind of region requires leadership that understands how economic systems actually work. My entire career has been rooted in that world. That is why I am running.

Looking Forward

I am deeply optimistic about the future of Southwest Washington. We have hardworking people, extraordinary natural resources, and communities that care deeply about where they live. If we focus on the fundamentals that help people build stable and prosperous lives, the future of this region can be even stronger than its past. That is the spirit behind this campaign. We are building a Bridge to Better. And I hope you will join us.