About Judy

Judy comes by her commitment to leadership, service and solutions naturally.

Her father served for twenty years as a doctor in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. Judy’s father passed what he calls the “Baton of Service”–the quest to serve a cause greater than yourself–to Judy, inspiring her commitment to public service.

Her family, her faith and her education all contributed to her sense of mission for public service.

She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and a Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of Missouri.

As a former State Representative and Congressional candidate, Judy has been committed to creating jobs and to championing initiatives that help seniors lead active lives and assist veterans in transitioning back to civilian life.

In the public and private sector, Judy has worked to ensure that Missourians have access to high quality health care while pursuing health policies that help keep costs under control. And she knows what it’s like to meet payrolls, having spent years helping businesses modernize and expand.

Baker left the Missouri House of Representatives in 2008 to run for the United States Congress in the old 9th Congressional District, getting more votes than any Democrat in 20 years in the mostly rural district.

Judy looks back with pride on that effort, but she’s most proud of the strong grassroots support she enjoyed from regular people who told her that they were looking for fresh leadership.

In her recent announcement for Lt. Governor, Judy summed it up this way:

“Sadly, too often politicians in Jefferson City spend their time working to score cheap political points at the expense of the other party. That’s got to stop. I believe Missourians are looking for sensible leadership and elected officials with realistic solutions to the challenges facing our state. I’ve always worked as a practical problem solver and pledge to continue that approach if given the chance to continue my public service.”

Prior to running for the state house, Baker served as interim Executive Director of the University of Missouri’s University Physicians practice plan. Most recently, she served as the Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Region VII comprising Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa.

During her public service, Baker has worked on non-partisan approaches to challenges facing Missouri families. As examples, she led efforts to assist seniors to remain in their homes and to provide enhanced services to returning veterans facing mental health challenges.

The Lieutenant Governor serves on boards that directly affect Missourians’ lives in healthcare, elder care, and veterans’ issues.

As you can see, her experience in the healthcare field and in veterans’ issues during her career will serve Missouri well as Lieutenant Governor as she works to help build our economy and create jobs, and to improve the quality of life for all Missourians.