Catharine Bailey Baker (born May 1, 1971) is an American attorney and politician from California. Baker was a Republican member of the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2018.[2] She has served on the California Fair Political Practices Commission (the state's ethics commission) since 2021.[3][4][5]
Catharine Baker | |
|---|---|
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 16th district | |
| In office December 1, 2014 – November 30, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Joan Buchanan |
| Succeeded by | Rebecca Bauer-Kahan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Catharine Ann Bailey May 1, 1971 Cathedral City, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Daniel |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Dublin, California |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago[1] UC Berkeley School of Law[1] |
| Occupation | Attorney, Politician |
| Website | Assembly (archived) Campaign |
Early life and education
editBaker was born as Catharine Ann Bailey in Cathedral City, California.[6]
In 1993, Baker earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Chicago. In 2000, Baker earned a JD degree in Law from UC Berkeley School of Law.[6]
Legal career
editIn 2000, Baker started her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Alicemarie Huber Stotler, a judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California.[6]
In 2001, Baker practiced law as an attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP until 2011.[6] In 2011, Baker practiced law as an attorney at Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel.[6][7]
California State Assembly
editOn November 4, 2014, Baker won the election and became a Republican member of California State Assembly for District 16, which encompasses Lamorinda and the Tri-Valley region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Baker defeated Dublin City Councilman Tim Sbranti with 51.6% of the votes.[8][9] On November 8, 2016, as an incumbent, Baker won the election and continued serving District 16. Baker defeated Pleasanton City Councilwoman Cheryl Cook-Kallio with 55.9% of the vote.[10]
On November 6, 2018, as an incumbent, Baker sought a third term but narrowly lost the election with 49% of the votes. Baker was defeated by attorney Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.[11][6]
During her time in office, Baker was the only Republican to represent any portion of the Bay Area at either the federal or the state level.[12][13] A piece of legislation she authored was AB 434: State Web accessibility which came in effect on July 1, 2019.[14]
Electoral history
edit2014 California State Assembly
edit| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Catharine Baker | 31,632 | 36.7 | |
| Democratic | Tim Sbranti | 25,217 | 29.2 | |
| Democratic | Steve Glazer | 19,636 | 22.8 | |
| Democratic | Newell Arnerich | 9,794 | 11.4 | |
| Total votes | 86,279 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Catharine Baker | 71,452 | 51.6 | |
| Democratic | Tim Sbranti | 67,152 | 48.4 | |
| Total votes | 138,604 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
2016 California State Assembly
edit| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Catharine Baker (incumbent) | 71,906 | 53.2 | |
| Democratic | Cheryl Cook-Kallio | 63,307 | 46.8 | |
| Total votes | 135,213 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Catharine Baker (incumbent) | 129,585 | 55.9 | |
| Democratic | Cheryl Cook-Kallio | 102,290 | 44.1 | |
| Total votes | 231,875 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2018 California State Assembly
edit| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Catharine Baker (incumbent) | 69,360 | 56.6 | |
| Democratic | Rebecca Bauer-Kahan | 53,269 | 43.4 | |
| Total votes | 122,629 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Rebecca Bauer-Kahan | 111,222 | 51.0 | |
| Republican | Catharine Baker (incumbent) | 106,683 | 49.0 | |
| Total votes | 217,905 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
Awards
edit- 2017 NFWL Elected Women of Excellence award. Presented by National Foundation for Women Legislators (November 14, 2017).[15]
- 2017 California School Boards Association (CSBA) Legislator of the Year.[16]
- 2017 We The People Award. Presented by California Common Cause.[17]
- California Distinguished Advocacy Award. Presented by American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.[17]
- Crime Victims United Legislator of the Year.[7]
- March of Dimes Legislative Champion Award.[7]
Post-Assembly career
editAfter leaving the California State Assembly, Baker has returned to private practice as an attorney, and is currently Special Counsel at Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel, advising businesses and non-profit organizations.[18]
In August 2019, Baker joined the board of Livermore Lab Foundation, a nonprofit organization,[19] and was named the President of Diablo Regional Arts Association.[20]
In December 2020, State Controller Betty Yee appointed Baker to a seat on the five-member California Fair Political Practices Commission for a four-year term beginning in January 2021.[3][4][5]
Personal life
editBaker's husband is Dan Baker. They have two children. Baker and her family live in Dublin, California.[6][17]
References
edit- ^ a b "Meet Catharine — Catharine Baker for Assembly". Bakerforassembly.com. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
- ^ "Members | California State Assembly". Assembly.ca.gov. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
- ^ a b "Controller Yee Appoints Former Assemblywoman to FPPC". California State Controller. December 14, 2020.
- ^ a b Sheeler, Andrew (December 15, 2020). "Abolish the death penalty? An addition to the FPPC Bill to ban faithless electors". Sacramento Bee.
- ^ a b White, Jeremy B. (December 14, 2020). "Catharine Baker appointed to FPPC". Politico.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Catharine Baker's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Honorable Catharine B. Baker Special Counsel". hogefenton.com. 18 September 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- ^ "November 4, 2014 General Election". joincalifornia.com. November 4, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- ^ "Meet Catharine Baker, Bay Area's Only Republican Assembly Member". kqed.org. November 13, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
- ^ "November 8, 2016 General Election". joincalifornia.com. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- ^ "November 6, 2018 General Election". Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- ^ Wildermuth, John (May 10, 2016). "Catharine Baker, Bay Area's only GOP lawmaker, tries to keep seat". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Garofoli, Joe (February 3, 2019). "'Your brand is toxic': Bay Area's last GOP lawmaker couldn't overcome Trump". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ "Digital Democracy California - AB 434: State Web accessibility: standard and reports".
- ^ "Women of Excellence - Meet Our 2017 NFWL Elected Women of Excellence". 18 February 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- ^ "Assemblywoman Baker Name CSBA Legislator of the Year". independentnews.com. March 8, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Catharine Baker Name as the JFKU's 2019 Keynote Commencement Speaker". jfku.edu. 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- ^ "Honorable Catharine B. Baker". hogefenton.com. 18 September 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ "Former Legislator Catharine Baker Picked for LLF Board". patch.com. September 4, 2019.
- ^ "In brief: Former Assemblywoman Baker now art group's President". eastbaytimes.com. August 19, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2019.