Politics
Judy Baker was first elected to the Missouri House in November 2004, defeating Republican Robert (Bob) Northrup. She ran unopposed in 2006 to earn her second term. While in the Missouri House she founded the bi-partisan "Healthy Missourians" caucus, a group who advocated preventative medicine and responsible approaches to Missouri healhcare.
In 2008 Baker aspired to higher office, running for US Congress in Missouri's 9th Congressional District to replace Kenny Hulshof. After beating three fellow Democrats in the August primary Baker lost a close November general election to Republican and fellow State Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer. Following the defeat Baker returned to the private sector and teaching at Columbia College until November, 2009 when she was appointed the regional HHS director by Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Baker would hold that position for just over two years until resigning in early December, 2011.
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