Baker announces race for Ninth

The state representative discussed health care and the Iraq war.

By Mary Daly

Published Feb. 26, 2008

State Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia, called on people to “snap out of it” and get involved Monday morning at the MU Health Sciences Center.

Baker, joined by her family and friends, officially announced her intent to run for the U.S. Ninth Congressional district to replace U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Mo.

The Ninth district encompasses rural northeast Missouri, as well as Columbia and Fulton.

Baker, who serves in the 25th district of the Missouri House of Representatives, made the decision to run last

December.

“I am not at all fooled or naive about how difficult our problems are,” Baker said. “I want to roll up my sleeves and make a difference.”

In her speech, Baker called for every American to have access to affordable health care, a solution to the job crisis and better care for senior citizens. She said if this kind of reform must be worked for.

“We must not have a wishbone where a backbone ought to be,” Baker said.

Baker, the daughter of a military doctor and member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, said she would fight to expand the children’s health insurance program and move toward reducing overall health care costs.

“If a child is sick, they should be able to see a doctor,” Baker said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Baker said it must change, the fact that in Missouri, more than 80 percent of people who cannot afford health insurance are employed. She said she would focus first on cost reduction of insurance.

“Working people deserve health care,” Baker said. “My job will be working for those working families.”

Baker also called for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. She said the departure of U.S. forces should be determined by a timetable of deadlines, while taking into consideration the obligation to keep U.S. troops and the Iraqi people safe.

“It will take a measured approach and it will take a responsible approach,” Baker said. “I’m not saying ‘let’s just pull out and not leave what we need to leave behind in order to maintain the peace.’”

Baker has been raising money for her campaign since last year when Hulshof was still planning on running for a seventh term.

“I came into the race when it was difficult,” Baker said. “I came in when it took courage. But I was less afraid of losing than I was of not having the issues debated.”

College Democrats of Missouri president Nate Kennedy said Baker would be an excellent addition to Congress.

“She has a great background in health care and education,” Kennedy said. “I think because more Independents and even Republicans are looking at voting Democrat nowadays, she has a very good chance of being elected.”

Former MU College Democrats president Mark Buhrmester said Baker’s commitment to health care, education and the environment is very important to her running a successful campaign.

“This is a huge opportunity for immense positive change if she were elected,” Buhrmester said. “Even in the district she’s made many effective changes and I think her involvement locally will cause a lot of different groups to back her on her run for Congress.”

Baker has received endorsements from organizations including the Missouri National Education Association, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Missouri Nurses Association.

She is running against Marion County Presiding Commissioner Lyndon Bode and Steve Gaw, a former speaker of the Missouri House and former chairman of the Missouri Public Service

Commission.

Republicans that have entered the race so far are state Rep. Danie Moore, R-Fulton, former MU football player Brock Olivo and former state Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth.