David Baria

Last updated

On February 28, 2018, Baria declared his candidacy for the Senate seat held by Republican Roger Wicker. [12] On June 26, he defeated venture capitalist Howard Sherman in a runoff to claim the Democratic nomination despite being considerably outspent. [13] James Carville was an unofficial, unpaid campaign consultant and has held fundraisers in New Orleans for Baria. [14] Baria finished second of four candidates, getting 39.1% of the vote. [7]

Post-political life

Upon leaving the Mississippi House, he joined Cosmich Simmons & Brown as a partner in their Bay St. Louis office after 28 years of experience as a trial lawyer. [4] His practice consists of insurance, business, construction, and personal injury litigation. [15] He serves as a board member of the Centrist Democrats of America. [15]

Political positions

Insurance reform

Baria introduced several bills to cap the premiums that insurance companies can charge for homeowners and flood insurance. [16] He introduced legislation to create a "Policy Holder's Bill of Rights," which would prohibit "anti-concurrent causation clauses," which allow insurance companies to avoid paying for any damage to homes where wind acts concurrently with flooding to cause damage to the insured property. [17]

BP oil spill settlement

In 2015, Baria introduced a bill to require that 80% of the funds from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill be sent back to the Gulf Coast. [9] The bill was defeated by the Republican controlled legislature, which opted to keep the money in the state's general fund. [18] Baria renewed these efforts in 2017 with the support of several Republican legislators from the Gulf Coast, but they were unsuccessful. [19]

Senator David Baria in 2009 in the Mississippi State Capitol Sen. David Baria during NASA Space Day.png
Senator David Baria in 2009 in the Mississippi State Capitol

Other policy positions

In 2010, Baria proposed bills in the senate offering tax incentives for homeowners who install solar power, [20] as well as allowing net metering. [21]

After joining the Mississippi House in 2012, Baria successfully sponsored a bill to require safety enclosures for swimming pools. [7] That same year, he introduced several other bills, including bills to increase the death benefit payable to law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty; authorize individuals to brew beer at home; create a "Patient's Bill of Rights; prohibit smoking in certain public places and private places of employment; and create a state version of the False Claims Act to allow whistleblowers who report fraud against the government to collect part of the award. [7] All of these bills died in committee. [7]

After controversy in 2012 over then-Governor Haley Barbour's pardon of two convicted murderers who worked at the Mississippi Governor's Mansion, [22] Baria introduced legislation prohibiting governors from issuing pardons during the last 90 days of their term. [7] The bill died in committee.

In 2015, Baria filed a bill to legalize industrial hemp production, [23] and in 2017 Baria filed bills to raise the minimum wage and require equal pay for men and women performing the same work. [24]

Baria penned an op-ed after the 2017 murder of a protester during the Unite the Right rally, calling for the state to remove the Confederate imagery from the Mississippi state flag. [25]

In 2018, Baria voted for a bill to exempt recent college graduates from state income taxes if they stay in the state for three years after graduation from a four-year college or university and to grant them an additional two-year exemption if they buy a house or establish a business with at least one additional employee. [26]

Baria has been a vocal critic of the corporate tax cuts passed by the Republican controlled legislature, [27] stating that they deprive the state of revenue that could be used to pay for other state programs. [28] He has also been a vocal supporter of expanding Medicaid to cover more than 300,000 Mississippians who lack health insurance. [29] Baria also supports state-funded universal preschool and two tuition-free years of community college. [30]

Personal life

David Baria is married to Marcie Baria and has three children. He is Episcopalian. He is a member of the Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Club for Growth</span> American political advocacy group

The Club for Growth is a 501(c)(4) political organization active in the United States, with a fiscally conservative agenda focused on tax cuts and other economic policy issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Nelson</span> American attorney & politician (born 1941)

Earl Benjamin Nelson is an American attorney, businessman, and politician who served as the 37th governor of Nebraska from 1991 to 1999 and as a United States Senator from Nebraska from 2001 to 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and as of 2024, is the last Democrat to hold and/or win any statewide elected office in Nebraska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Wicker</span> American lawyer and politician (born 1951)

Roger Frederick Wicker is an American attorney and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Mississippi, a seat he has held since 2007. A member of the Republican Party, Wicker was a Mississippi State Senator from 1988 to 1995 and the U.S. Representative from Mississippi's 1st congressional district from 1995 until 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congressional Progressive Caucus</span> Caucus within the Democratic Party in the US Congress

The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is a congressional caucus affiliated with the Democratic Party in the United States Congress. The CPC represents the progressive faction of the Democratic Party. It was founded in 1991 and has grown since then, becoming the second-largest Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississippi State Senate</span> Upper house of the Mississippi Legislature

The Mississippi State Senate is the upper house of the Mississippi Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Mississippi. The Senate, along with the lower Mississippi House of Representatives, convenes at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson. The Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi serves as President of the Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Barrow (American politician)</span> American politician (born 1955)

John Jenkins Barrow is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for Georgia's 12th congressional district from 2005 to 2015. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Donnelly</span> American politician and diplomat (born 1955)

Joseph Simon Donnelly Sr. is an American attorney, politician, and diplomat who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013 and as a U.S. Senator from 2013 to 2019. A member of the Democratic Party from, he would later serve as the United States Ambassador to the Holy See from 2022 to 2024 under President Joe Biden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyrsten Sinema</span> American politician (born 1976)

Kyrsten Lea Sinema is an American politician and former social worker serving as the senior United States senator from Arizona, a seat she has held since 2019. A former member of the Democratic Party, Sinema became an independent in December 2022.

Oletha A. Goudeau is a Democratic member of the Kansas Senate, representing the 29th district since 2009—the first African-American woman in the Kansas Senate. Most recently, she is the Senate Assistant Minority Leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cindy Hyde-Smith</span> American politician (born 1959)

Cindy Hyde-Smith is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from Mississippi since 2018. A member of the Republican Party, she was previously the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce and a member of the Mississippi State Senate.

Sara I. Gideon is an American politician who served as the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party from Freeport, she represented the 48th district in the Maine House of Representatives, which includes part of Freeport and Pownal in Cumberland County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States Senate election in Mississippi</span>

The 2018 United States Senate election in Mississippi took place on November 6, 2018, in order to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Mississippi. Incumbent Republican Roger Wicker was re-elected to a second full term, defeating his Democratic challenger, David Baria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in Mississippi</span>

The 2020 United States Senate election in Mississippi was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Mississippi, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Ossoff</span> American politician and filmmaker (born 1987)

Thomas Jonathan Ossoff is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Georgia since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, Ossoff was previously a documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States Senate special election in Mississippi</span>

The 2018 United States Senate special election in Mississippi took place on November 6, 2018, in order to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Mississippi. On April 1, 2018, a U.S. Senate vacancy was created when Republican senator Thad Cochran resigned due to health concerns. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant appointed Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith to fill the vacancy. Hyde-Smith sought election to serve the balance of Cochran's term, which was scheduled to expire in January 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States Senate election in Arizona</span>

The 2024 United States Senate election in Arizona was held on November 5, 2024, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Arizona. Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego defeated Republican former news journalist Kari Lake to succeed independent incumbent Kyrsten Sinema, who did not seek a second term.

Barbara Anita Blackmon is an American lawyer and politician who served in the Mississippi State Senate, representing the 21st district from 1992 to 2004 and from 2016 to 2024. She was also the Democratic Party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2003, losing to Amy Tuck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States Senate election in Texas</span>

The 2024 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 5, 2024, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Texas. Republican incumbent Ted Cruz won re-election to a third term, defeating Democratic challenger and U.S. Representative Colin Allred. The primary election took place on March 5, 2024, during Super Tuesday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania</span>

The 2024 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania was held on November 5, 2024, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Pennsylvania. Incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey Jr lost re-election to a fourth term, being defeated by Republican nominee David McCormick in a major upset. The primary election took place on April 23, 2024. The election was considered essential for Democrats' chances to retain their majority in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States Senate election in Montana</span>

The 2024 United States Senate election in Montana was held on November 5, 2024, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Montana. Incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Tester lost re-election to a fourth term, being defeated by Republican nominee Tim Sheehy. Sheehy's victory gave Republicans control of both of Montana's Senate seats for the first time since 1911. Primary elections took place on June 4, 2024. Although Tester outperformed Kamala Harris in the concurrent presidential election by 12.8 points, which was the strongest overperformance of any Democratic Senate candidate, it was still not enough to win.

References

  1. 1 2 "David Baria". Mississippi State Legislature. Archived from the original on December 24, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Baria, David W." Cosmich Simmons & Brown. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 House Concurrent Resolution 100. Mississippi House of Representatives.
  4. 1 2 "David W. Baria Joins Cosmich Simmons & Brown". Cosmich Simmons & Brown. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  5. "Meet U.S. Senate candidates on Tuesday's ballots". The Natchez Democrat . June 3, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  6. 1 2 "David Baria". Baria-Jones, PLLC. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "David Baria". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  8. "PAC takes out ad to apologize to legislator". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. April 14, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Hampton, Paul (November 1, 2015). "Republicans would like to pick off last South Mississippi Democrats in Legislature". The Sun Herald. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  10. Belcher, Geoff (March 4, 2019). "Qualifying ends for 2019 county, state elections -- Baria bows out; Carver to challenge Adam for sheriff". The Sea Coast Echo. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  11. Harrison, Bobby (February 3, 2016). "Rep. David Baria selected as House leader". The Sun Herald. Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  12. Dovere, Edward-Isaac (February 28, 2018). "Democrat David Baria Enters Senate race in Mississippi". Politico. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  13. Wolfe, Anna (June 26, 2018). "David Baria beats Howard Sherman in U.S. Senate Democratic runoff". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  14. Harrison, Bobby (September 12, 2018). "James Carville providing help for Baria Senate campaign". Mississippi Today. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  15. 1 2 "About". Centrist Democrats of America. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  16. Simon, Scott (August 28, 2010). "Five Years After Katrina, A Return To Bay St. Louis". NPR.org. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  17. Lynch, Adam (January 4, 2010). "Sen. David Baria". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  18. Clark, Jefff (January 14, 2017). "Will the Coast see BP money in 2017? Don't hold your breath". The Sun Herald. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  19. Ganucheau, Adam (March 1, 2017). "House, Senate clash after death of BP bill". Mississippi Today. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  20. Lynch, Adam (January 20, 2010). "Where's the Money". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  21. Lynch, Adam (January 7, 2010). "Net-Metering Advocates Push for Support". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  22. Phillips, Rich (March 15, 2012). "Docs show murderers got special treatment from governor, wife". CNN. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  23. Nave, R. L. (April 8, 2015). "Legal Pot Initiative Gets a Spark". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  24. Hampton, Paul (January 5, 2017). "This could be the year of equal pay, minimum wage". The Sun Herald. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  25. Baria, David (August 15, 2017). "Time to remove Confederate battle flag from all official symbols of Mississippi". Mississippi Business Journal. Archived from the original on August 28, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  26. Gates, Jimmie E. (February 14, 2018). "House bill would exempt recent graduates from state income taxes if they stay in state". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  27. Pettus, Emily Wagster (March 14, 2017). "Dems Say Slow Economy and Tax Cuts Damage Mississippi Budget". USNews. Associated Press. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  28. Pullen, Malary (January 19, 2017). "Why the lack in revenue for the state of Mississippi?". WJTV. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  29. David Baria (March 17, 2013), Rep. David Baria (D-Bay St. Louis) talks with WLOX about Medicaid Expansion, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved March 1, 2018
  30. "Mississippi House minority leader says relations improved". The Oxford Eagle. Associated Press. January 24, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
David Baria
David Baria (cropped).jpg
Minority Leader of the Mississippi House of Representatives
In office
February 3, 2016 January 7, 2020
Mississippi House of Representatives
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Mississippi House of Representatives
2016–2020
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Mississippi
(Class 1)

2018
Succeeded by
Ty Pinkins