Gilbert Baker (politician)
Gilbert R. Baker (born September 5, 1956) is a Republican former member of the Arkansas State Senate for District 30, with service from 2001 to 2013. In 2010, Baker was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate seat formerly held by the Democrat Blanche Lincoln.[1]
Gilbert R. Baker | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Arkansas Republican Party | |
| In office 2004–2007 | |
| Preceded by | Winthrop Paul Rockefeller |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Milligan |
| Member of the Arkansas Senate from the 30th district | |
| In office January 8, 2001 – January 6, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Stanley Russ |
| Succeeded by | Jason Rapert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 5, 1956 Monahans, Texas |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Susan Baker |
| Children | Stephen Anna Luke Nathaniel Philip Mark Joshua Michael Baker |
| Residence | Conway, Faulkner County Arkansas |
| Alma mater | Louisiana Tech University University of Arizona |
| Occupation | Teacher/Administrator/Advisor, University of Central Arkansas |
| Website | Baker for Senate |
Biography
A native of Monahans in West Texas, Baker holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana and a master's degree from the University of Arizona at Tucson, Arizona.
Candidacy for United States Senate
In September 2009, Baker announced his intentions to run for the U.S. Senate. He joined a crowded GOP field, including his senatorial colleague Kim Hendren. Polls showed discontent with Lincoln's Senate performance and voting record.[2] A poll taken November 5, 2009, showed Lincoln with a 43 percent job-approval rating, nearly 9 points down from her 2008 approval rating.[3]
After announcing for the U.S. Senate, Baker was endorsed by twenty-three members of the State House and Senate.[4] On December 5, 2009, Baker won a straw poll in Hot Springs with 35 percent of the vote in a field of seven.[5]
He was considered to have been the front-runner until U.S. Representative John Boozman entered the race and won the nomination and subsequently the general election, Baker finished in third in the primary behind Boozman and former State Senator Jim Holt, a Baptist minister from Springdale.
Arkansas State Senator
Baker ranked third in Arkansas State Senate seniority in his final term, and served as co-chair of the Joint Budget Committee and vice chairman of the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee. He also served on the Arkansas Legislative Council, the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, Legislative Facilities, Children and Youth Committee, Senate Efficiency, and Academic Facilities Oversight Committee.[6] From 1997 to 1999, he was the Republican chairman for Faulkner County.
Term-limited in 2012, he left the Senate to become the executive assistant to the president at the University of Central Arkansas at Conway, where he resides.
Indictment by Federal Grand Jury
On January 11, 2019, Baker was indicted on counts of conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud. The indictment is related to a bribery scheme involving former Faulkner County Circuit Judge Mike Maggio.[7]
References
- "Senator Gilbert Baker". January 1, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- Kraushaar, Josh (September 1, 2009). "New GOP challenger for Blanche Lincoln". Politico. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- Murray, Shailagh (November 17, 2009). "A centrist in health-care debate, Lincoln hears it from all sides". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- "Backing Baker". Arkansas Times. November 3, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- Arkansas Times Gilbert Baker Wins GOP Straw Poll
- "Senator Gilbert Baker". January 1, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- "Former Arkansas lawmaker indicted on conspiracy, bribery charges". Arkansas Online. January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.