Bill Baker (politician)

Bill Baker
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 10th district
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1997
Preceded by	Don Edwards
Succeeded by	Ellen Tauscher
Member of the California State Assembly from the 15th district
In office December 6, 1982 – November 30, 1992
Preceded by	Gilbert Marguth
Succeeded by	Richard Rainey
Member of the California State Assembly from the 10th district
In office December 1, 1980 – November 30, 1982
Preceded by	Daniel Boatwright
Succeeded by	Phillip Isenberg
Personal details
Born	William Pond Baker (1940-06-14) June 14, 1940 Oakland, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Joanne Atack
Children	4
Residence	Danville, California
Alma mater	San Jose State University
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Coast Guard
Years of service	1957-1965

William Pond Baker (born June 14, 1940) is an American businessman and politician who served two terms as a United States Congressman from California from 1993 to 1997.

Biography

He attended San Jose State University, from which he earned a business degree. Baker served as a member of the United States Coast Guard reserve from 1957 to 1965.

After graduating from college, Baker worked as a budget analyst for a large financial corporation. He then took a similar job with the California Department of Finance, which he held for four years. Baker worked as the vice president of a Taxpayers Association until he successfully ran for a seat in the California State Assembly as a Republican in 1980. He served six terms in a district that included portions of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.

Congress

In 1992, Baker ran for Congress and served two terms in the House before losing reelection in 1996 to Ellen Tauscher. Baker was a political conservative.

After Congress

After leaving Congress, Baker returned to the field of finance, and was a partner in the Baker, Brose & Mitsutome investment management firm.

Electoral history

California's 10th congressional district: Results 1992–1996

Year		Democrat	Votes	Pct		Republican	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct
1992		Wendell H. Williams	134,635	48%		Bill Baker	145,702	52%	*
1994		Ellen Schwartz	90,523	39%		Bill Baker	138,916	59%		Craig W. Cooper	Peace and Freedom	4,802	2%
1996		Ellen O. Tauscher	137,726	49%		Bill Baker	133,633	47%		John Place	Reform	6,354	2%		Valerie Janlois	Natural Law	3,047	1%	*

*Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1992, write-ins received 92 votes. In 1996, Libertarian Gregory K. Lyon received 2,423 votes.

External links

• United States Congress. "Bill Baker (id: B000078)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Join California William P. "Bill" Baker