She resides in Columbia with her husband, Dr. John Baker, a Baptist minister, and three children.[7]
Politics
Judy Baker was first elected to the Missouri House in November 2004, defeating Republican Robert (Bob) Northrup.[8] She ran unopposed in 2006 to earn her second term.[9] While in the Missouri House she founded the bi-partisan "Healthy Missourians" caucus, a group who advocated preventative medicine and responsible approaches to Missouri healthcare.[1]
In 2008 Baker aspired to higher office, running for U.S. Congress in Missouri's 9th Congressional District to replace Kenny Hulshof. After beating three fellow Democrats in the August primary Baker lost a close November general election to Republican and fellow State Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer. Following the defeat Baker returned to the private sector and teaching at Columbia College until November, 2009 when she was appointed the regional HHS director by Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Baker would hold that position for just over two years until resigning in early December, 2011.[10]
Baker was one of eight Democratic candidates for Missouri Lieutenant Governor in 2012. She came in second to former Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee, who was defeated in the general election by Republican incumbent Peter Kinder.
In the 2016 election cycle, Baker filed as a candidate for Missouri State Treasurer. Her only opponent for the Democratic nomination was Patrick Contreras, of Kansas City, whom she defeated 59% to 41%.[11] She went on to face term-limited Republican State Senator Eric Schmitt of suburban St. Louis, as well as two third-party candidates and a write-in candidate, in the November general election.[12] Schmitt won with 56.65% of the vote, to Baker's 39.15%.[13]
In the 2020 election cycle, Baker was the sole Democratic candidate for the Missouri Senate, District 19, taking on incumbent Caleb Rowden, who was unopposed in the Republican primary.[14] She lost 48.33% to 51.60%.[5]
Electoral history
State representative
Missouri House of Representatives Democratic Primary Election, August 3, 2004, District 25[15]
