Introduction
Catharine Bailey Baker (born May 1, 1971) is an American attorney and politician from California. Baker was a Republican member the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2018.
Early life and education
Baker was born as Catharine Ann Bailey in Cathedral City, California.
In 1993, Baker earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from University of Chicago. In 2000, Baker earned a JD degree in Law from UC Berkeley School of Law.
Legal career
In 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.
In 2001, Baker practiced law as an attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP until 2011. In 2011, Baker practiced law as an attorney at Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel.
California State Assembly
On 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. 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.
On November 6 2018, as an incumbent,Baker sought for a third term but narrowly lost the election with 49% of the votes. Baker was defeated by attorney Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.
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. A piece of legislation she authored was AB 434: State Web accessibility which came in effect on July 1st, 2019.
Electoral history
2014 California State Assembly
| 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
| 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
| 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
- 2017 NFWL Elected Women of Excellence award. Presented by National Foundation for Women Legislators (November 14, 2017).
- 2017 California School Boards Association (CSBA) Legislator of the Year.
- 2017 We The People Award. Presented by California Common Cause.
- California Distinguished Advocacy Award. Presented by American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
- Crime Victims United Legislator of the Year.
- March of Dimes Legislative Champion Award.
Post-Assembly career
After 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.
In August 2019, Baker joined the board of Livermore Lab Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and was named the President of Diablo Regional Arts Association.
Personal life
Baker's husband is Dan Baker. They have two children. Baker and her family live in Dublin, California.