Richard Baker (lobbyist)
| Richard Baker | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 6th district |
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In office January 3, 1987 – February 2, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Henson Moore |
| Succeeded by | Don Cazayoux |
| Louisiana State Representative for East Baton Rouge Parish | |
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In office 1972–1987 |
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| Preceded by | Seven-member delegation:
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| Succeeded by | Michael L. McCleary |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 22, 1948 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Political party |
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| Spouse(s) | Kay Baker |
| Residence | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Alma mater | Louisiana State University |
| Occupation | Real estate executive; Lobbyist |
Richard Hugh Baker (born May 22, 1948) is an American politician and lobbyist. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 2008, representing the 6th District of Louisiana as a Republican.
The son of a Methodist minister, Baker was born in New Orleans and graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He stayed in Baton Rouge after graduation and founded a real estate agency there. In 1971, just a year out of school, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives as a Democrat from a predominantly blue-collar district in Baton Rouge and served eight terms. He became chairman of the Transportation Committee.
In 1986, Baker switched to the Republicans because of a long-running feud with Governor Edwin Edwards. Soon afterwards, 6th District Republican Congressman Henson Moore, announced that he was running for the Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Russell B. Long. (Moore was defeated in that race by 7th District Democratic Congressman John Breaux). Moore encouraged Baker to run for the seat, which is based in Baton Rouge and includes most of that city's suburbs. Baker (51 percent) defeated Democrats Thomas H. Hudson (45 percent) and Willis Blackwell, Sr.(4 percent). He became the fourth Republican to represent Louisiana in Congress since Reconstruction and the second to win an undisputed victory in a contested election. He was reelected without opposition in 1988 and 1990. Baker quickly compiled a conservative voting record, in marked contrast to his Democratic roots, as evidenced by Baker's lifetime rating of 0.5 from Americans for Democratic Action, a progressive think tank.
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