Education
He attended San Jose State University, from which he earned a business degree.
He attended San Jose State University, from which he earned a business degree.
After graduating from college, Baker worked as a budget analyst for a large financial corporation. He then took a similar job with the California Department of Finance, which he held for four years. Baker worked as the vice president of a Taxpayers Association until he successfully ran for a seat in the California State Assembly as a Republican in 1980.
He served six terms in a district that included portions of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.
In 1992, Baker ran for Congress and served two terms in the House before losing reelection in 1996 to Ellen Tauscher. Baker was a fiscal and social conservative.
Baker served as a member of the United States Coast Guard reserve from 1957 to 1965.