Rachel Baker | |
---|---|
Member of the OhioHouseofRepresentatives from the 27th district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Tom Brinkman Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | May 29,1975 |
Political party | Democratic |
Children | 3 |
Residence | Anderson Township,Ohio |
Education | University of Michigan (BS) University of Cincinnati (BSN) University of Michigan (MSW) University of Cincinnati (PhD) |
Rachel B. Baker (May 29,1975) is a nurse and American politician who has served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives since 2023. Representing the 27th district,Baker's constituency encompasses eastern Hamilton County,including portions of Cincinnati. [1]
Baker earned a Bachelor of Science (in psychology) from the University of Michigan,as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She went on to receive a Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan 's Rackham Graduate School in 1999,and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Cincinnati in 2006. [2]
Baker is currently employeed by Cincinnati-based TriHealth Inc. as a Nurse Researcher. She also concurrently serves as an adjunct professor for the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing. [3]
With incumbent Representative Tom Brinkman unable to re-run in 2022 due to term limits,Baker and four others sought to replace him. [4] In the Democratic primary,Baker defeated former Cincinnati mayoral candidate Gavi Begtrup with 62% of the vote, [5] despite being outspent by an almost 3-to-1 ratio. [6] [7] In the general election,Baker earned 56% of the vote,defeating Republican anti-abortion activist Jenn Giroux. [8] Baker was sworn into the position on January 3,2023. [9]
Baker later sought reelection for the same position in 2024,winning the general election with 55.8% of the vote. [10]
Baker serves as the ranking member of the Aviation and Aerospace Committee,and as a member of the Behavioral Health,Health Provider Services,Public Health Policy,and Technology and Innovation Committees. [11]
In 2021,Baker ran unsuccessfully to serve on the board of the Forest Hills Local School District. [12] During her tenure as state representative,Baker has criticized the board,which she claims refused to meet with her due to her Democratic party affiliation. [13]