Franklin Parish Police Jury
In 1968, Baker, at thirty-three, was elected as a Democrat to the Franklin Parish Police Jury (equivalent of county commission in most states). He won his primary, then equivalent to election, by only nineteen votes. In February 1969, he switched to the Republican Party (GOP) and set forth to build a competitive two-party system in his region and state. While he was on the police jury, the body joined the 11-parish North Delta Economic Planning and Development Council. Baker served on the council during his single term on the jury.
While on the jury, Baker was appointed to the Franklin Parish Library Board, on which he served for thirteen years. Baker has been the Franklin Parish Republican chairman intermittently since the 1970s.
Read more about this topic: John Henry Baker
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