Rachel Baker

Rachel Baker
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 27th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byTom Brinkman Jr.
Personal details
Born (1975-05-29) May 29, 1975
PartyDemocratic
Children3
EducationUniversity 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]

Early life and career

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 employed 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]

Ohio House of Representatives

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]

Personal life

Baker currently resides just outside of Cincinnati in Anderson Township, Ohio. She lives there with her three children and a family dog. [1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Rachel B. Baker Biography". Ohio House of Representatives. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  2. ^ "Rachel Baker, PhD, RN, CPN | Summit on Promoting Well-being and Resilience in Healthcare Professionals". clinicianwellbeing.osu.edu. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  3. ^ Toerner, Laura (January 9, 2023). "UC alumna, Ohio Rep. Rachel Baker ready to apply nursing skills to policymaking". UC News. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Wartman, Scott (July 17, 2022). "Trump, abortion, guns: Where candidates in East Side statehouse primary stand". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved April 13, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ^ Wartman, Scott (August 2, 2022). "Election results: Who won Ohio House, Senate races in Cincinnati area Tuesday?". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved July 23, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ^ "BAKER, RACHEL - FollowTheMoney.org". www.followthemoney.org. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  7. ^ "BEGTRUP, GAVI - FollowTheMoney.org". www.followthemoney.org. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  8. ^ "Rachel Baker". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "Rep. Rachel Baker sworn in as state representative for Ohio House District 27". Ohio House of Representatives. January 3, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  10. ^ "Rachel Baker". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  11. ^ "Rachel B. Baker Committees". Ohio House of Representatives. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  12. ^ "Hamilton County Election Results - 2021". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 2, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  13. ^ Mitchell, Madeline (September 21, 2023). "State Rep. Rachel Baker says Forest Hills board won't meet with her since she's a Democrat". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.