Catharine Baker


Catharine Bailey Baker is an American attorney and politician from California. Baker was a Republican member the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2018.

Early life and education

Baker was born as Catharine Ann Bailey in Cathedral City, California.
In 1993, Baker earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from University of Chicago. In 2000, Baker earned a JD degree in Law from UC Berkeley School of Law.

Legal career

In 2000, Baker started her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Alicemarie Huber Stotler, a judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
In 2001, Baker practiced law as an attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP until 2011. In 2011, Baker practiced law as an attorney at Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel.

California State Assembly

On November 4, 2014, Baker won the election and became a Republican member of California State Assembly for District 16, which encompasses Lamorinda and the Tri-Valley region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Baker defeated Dublin City Councilman Tim Sbranti with 51.6% of the votes. On November 8, 2016, as an incumbent, Baker won the election and continued serving District 16. Baker defeated Pleasanton City Councilwoman Cheryl Cook-Kallio with 55.9% of the vote.
On November 6 2018, as an incumbent, Baker sought for a third term but narrowly lost the election with 49% of the votes. Baker was defeated by attorney Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.
During her time in office, Baker was the only Republican to represent any portion of the Bay Area at either the federal or the state level. A piece of legislation she authored was AB 434: State Web accessibility which came in effect on July 1st, 2019.

Electoral history

2014 California State Assembly

2016 California State Assembly

2018 California State Assembly

Awards

After leaving the California State Assembly, Baker has returned to private practice as an attorney, and is currently Special Counsel at Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel, advising businesses and non-profit organizations.
In August 2019, Baker joined the board of Livermore Lab Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and was named the President of Diablo Regional Arts Association.

Personal life

Baker's husband is Dan Baker. They have two children. Baker and her family live in Dublin, California.