| Catharine Baker | |
| State Assembly: | California |
| District: | 16th |
| Term Start: | December 1, 2014 |
| Term End: | November 30, 2018 |
| Predecessor: | Joan Buchanan |
| Successor: | Rebecca Bauer-Kahan |
| Birth Name: | Catharine Ann Bailey |
| Birth Date: | 1 May 1971 |
| Birth Place: | Cathedral City, California |
| Nationality: | American |
| Party: | Republican |
| Spouse: | Daniel |
| Children: | 2 |
| Residence: | Dublin, California |
| Alma Mater: | University of Chicago[1] UC Berkeley School of Law |
| Occupation: | Attorney, Politician |
| Website: | Assembly (archived) Campaign |
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]
Baker was born as Catharine Ann Bailey in Cathedral City, California.
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.
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.[6]
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.[7] [8] 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.[9]
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.[10] [11]
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]
See also: California State Assembly elections, 2014.
See also: California State Assembly election, 2016.
See also: California State Assembly election, 2018.
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.[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.
Baker's husband is Dan Baker. They have two children. Baker and her family live in Dublin, California.[11] [17]