He also sought the nomination of the Democratic party for governor in 1970 and in 1990, but was defeated in the Democratic primary election in both elections losing to Kevin White the first time and John Silber the second.
Over more than a decade, he helped manage state and local campaigns in some 38 states, including incumbent Boston, Massachusetts Mayor Kevin White's successful re-election campaign in 1975.
Tapping into a rich knowledge of local and national politics, Barnicle had unique takes on the ups and downs of luminaries such as Sen. Ted Kennedy, Sen. John Kerry, and longtime Congressional Speaker of the House Thomas Tip O'Neill, as well as Boston mayors Kevin White, Ray Flynn, and Tom Menino.
White House | Chicago White Sox | White | Snow White | Kevin Costner | Kevin Smith | The White Stripes | White American | white | Kevin Bacon | black-and-white | Kevin Kline | Kevin Keegan | White Star Line | White Nile | Kevin Harvick | Jack White | Jack White (musician) | Betty White | Kevin Spacey | White Collar (TV series) | White Collar | Kevin Rudd | Byron White | White movement | Kevin Johnson | Great White | White Sea | E. B. White | The White Shadow |
In 1983, when the incumbent Mayor of Boston, Kevin White, withdrew from contention after 16 years in office, Mel King ran for mayor against Raymond Flynn.