# Catharine Baker

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. She has served on the California Fair Political Practices Commission (the state's ethics commission) since 2021.

## 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 the 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 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 1, 2019.

## Electoral history
### 2014 California State Assembly

California's 16th State Assembly district election, 2014 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 86,279 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Catharine Baker | 71,452 | 51.6 |
| | Democratic | Tim Sbranti | 67,152 | 48.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 138,604 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### 2016 California State Assembly

California's 16th State Assembly district election, 2016 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Catharine Baker (incumbent) | 71,906 | 53.2 |
| | Democratic | Cheryl Cook-Kallio | 63,307 | 46.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 231,875 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018 California State Assembly

California's 16th State Assembly district election, 2018 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Catharine Baker (incumbent) | 69,360 | 56.6 |
| | Democratic | Rebecca Bauer-Kahan | 53,269 | 43.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 217,905 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | 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.
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.

## Personal life

Baker's husband is Dan Baker. They have two children. Baker and her family live in Dublin, California.