Byrnes was born in Oelwein, Iowa. He grew up in Riceville, Iowa, where he graduated from Riceville Community High School in 1992. He went on to graduate from Luther College, earned a Master’s Degree from Winona State University, and is currently completing his doctoral work at Iowa State University.
Byrnes was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2010.
As of January 2013, Byrnes serves on several committees in the Iowa House – the Education, Natural Resources, and Ways and Means committees, as well as the Education Appropriations budget subcommittee. He serves as the Chair of the Transportation committee.
