Rushern Baker | |
---|---|
7th Executive of Prince George's County | |
In office December 6, 2010 – December 3, 2018 | |
Preceded by | Jack B. Johnson |
Succeeded by | Angela Alsobrooks |
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 22B district | |
In office August 11, 1994 – January 8, 2003 | |
Preceded by | Paul G. Pinsky |
Succeeded by | Tawanna P. Gaines Anne Healey Justin Ross |
Personal details | |
Born | Rushern Leslie Baker III October 24, 1958 Valdosta, Georgia, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Christa Beverly (died 2021) |
Education | Howard University (BA, JD) |
Signature | |
Rushern Leslie Baker III (born October 24, 1958) is an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected county executive of Prince George's County, Maryland in 2010 and won re-election in 2014. In 2018 and 2022, he mounted an unsuccessful primary campaign to become Governor of Maryland.[1][2]
Early life and education
[edit]Baker was born in Valdosta, Georgia, and grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts.[3][4][5] Baker's father, a Green Beret[5] who served in the Vietnam War,[6] mother, and 3 siblings lived on an Army base in Okinawa, Japan for a time before settling in Massachusetts.[7] Baker recalls having learning struggles in school.[8] He received his bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor from Howard University in 1982 and 1986, respectively.[5][8][9]
Career
[edit]Maryland House of Delegates
[edit]Baker represented legislative district 22B in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1994 to 2003, where he served on various subcommittees and task forces.[8][10][11] He also served as executive director for the Community Teachers Institute, located in Lanham, Maryland.[4][11]
Prince George's County Executive
[edit]In 2002 and 2006, Baker ran unsuccessfully for the office of Prince George's County Executive.[8] In 2006, he was narrowly defeated by the incumbent County Executive, Jack B. Johnson in the primary election.[12]
In November 2010, Baker won the election to replace Johnson, who was term-limited.[13] Baker was sworn in as County Executive on December 6, 2010.[14]
Baker served as President of County Executives of America from 2014 to 2015.[15] He was named Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine in 2015.[16]
As County Executive, Baker led land and real estate purchases to move county agencies to Largo, Maryland from the County Seat of Upper Marlboro, Maryland.[17]
2018 Maryland gubernatorial election campaign
[edit]On June 21, 2017, Baker announced his candidacy for Governor of Maryland in the 2018 election, currently held by Larry Hogan (R). Baker's ticket included Baltimore attorney Elizabeth Embry.[18] He was endorsed by the Washington Post, but lost the Democratic primary to Ben Jealous, 40 percent to 29 percent.[1]
2022 Maryland gubernatorial election campaign
[edit]On April 8, 2021, Baker announced his candidacy for Governor of Maryland in the 2022 election, which will be vacated by Larry Hogan (R), who is term limited, in 2023.[19] His running mate was Nancy Navarro, a member of the Montgomery County Council.[20] He suspended his campaign on June 10, 2022.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Baker met his wife, Christa Beverly, as an undergraduate at Howard University in 1978.[4] Baker is a member of Gamma Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, as is Jack B. Johnson who preceded Baker as County Executive prior to Johnson's arrest.[21] The Bakers lived in Washington, D.C., briefly, before settling in Cheverly, MD, where they raised three children, including son Rushern Baker IV.[3][5]
In 2010, Baker's wife was diagnosed with Early-onset Alzheimer's disease.[8][22] The family decided to speak publicly about her diagnosis in 2012 in order to increase awareness for the disease and advocate for greater funding for medical research.[22] Baker is an active member of the Alzheimer's Association.[23] In 2016, Baker got a tattoo of her initials and the logo for the Alzheimer's Association on his arm.[24]
In 2021, Baker's wife Christa died due to Alzheimer's disease,[25] making him a widower.
Electoral history
[edit]Maryland House of Delegates District 22B Primary Election, 1994 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Rushern L. Baker III | 1,141 | 50 |
Democratic | David Bird | 705 | 31 |
Democratic | John Pepper | 439 | 19 |
Maryland House of Delegates District 22B General Election, 1994 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Rushern L. Baker III | 3,244 | 100 |
Maryland House of Delegates District 22B Primary Election, 1998 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Rushern L. Baker III | 1,139 | 82 |
Democratic | John Pepper | 249 | 18 |
Maryland House of Delegates District 22B General Election, 1998 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Rushern L. Baker III | 4,630 | 83 |
Republican | Peter Justesen | 923 | 17 |
Prince George's County Executive Primary Election, 2002 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Jack B. Johnson | 39,503 | 37 |
Democratic | M.H. "Jim" Estepp | 20,748 | 19 |
Democratic | C. Anthony Muse | 19,976 | 19 |
Democratic | Rushern L. Baker III | 13,344 | 13 |
Democratic | Major Riddick | 13,102 | 12 |
Prince George's County Executive Primary Election, 2006 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Jack B. Johnson | 52,529 | 53 |
Democratic | Rushern L. Baker III | 47,431 | 47 |
Prince George's County Executive Primary Election, 2010 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Rushern L. Baker III | 41,352 | 44 |
Democratic | Michael A. Jackson | 30,788 | 33 |
Democratic | Samuel H. Dean | 11,728 | 12 |
Democratic | Gerron Levi | 6,983 | 7 |
Democratic | Henry C. Turner, Jr. | 3,272 | 3 |
Prince George's County Executive General Election, 2010 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Rushern L. Baker III | 206,924 | 99 |
Other/Write-ins | Other/Write-ins | 1,543 | 1 |
Prince George's County Executive General Election, 2014 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Rushern L. Baker III | 195,849 | 99 |
Other/Write-ins | Other/Write-ins | 1,668 | 1 |
Republican | Roussan Etienne, Jr. | 442 | 0 |
Independent | Aliya Mullins | 164 | 0 |
Independent | James J. Carpenter | 19 | 0 |
2018 Maryland Gubernatorial Primary Election, 2018 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Ben Jealous | 231,895 | 40 |
Democratic | Rushern L. Baker III | 171,697 | 29 |
Democratic | Jim Shea | 48,647 | 8 |
Democratic | Krish Vignarajah | 48,042 | 8 |
Democratic | Richard Madaleno | 34,184 | 6 |
Democratic | Valerie Ervin | 18,851 | 3 |
Democratic | Alec Ross | 13,780 | 2 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Maryland Primary Election Results". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ a b DePuyt, Bruce (June 10, 2022). "Rushern Baker Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign, Will Likely Endorse a Democratic Rival Soon". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ a b Hernández, Arelis R. (June 21, 2017). "Rushern Baker, leader of Prince George's, to run for Md. governor in 2018". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c Thomas-Lester, Avis (August 30, 2006). "In Pr. George's, the Unknown vs. the Charmer". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Aizenman, Nurith C. (September 4, 2002). "A Rising Star's Biggest Risk". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ Cox, Erin. "In governor's race, Democrat Rushern Baker says he turned around Prince George's and will do same for Maryland". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ Kearney, Reginald (June 22, 2017). "Rushern Baker, leader of Prince George's, to run for Md. governor in 2018". Urban Sentinel. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Hernández, Arelis R. "Rushern Baker: Economic success, political bruising as leader of Prince George's". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ Paul, Pritha (June 21, 2017). "Who Is Rushern Baker? Prince George's County Executive Running For Maryland Governor". International Business Times. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ "Rushern L. Baker III". House of Delegates—Former Delegates. Maryland State Archives. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
- ^ a b Trejos, Nancy (May 1, 2003). "Ex-Delegate Now Recruits Teachers". The Washington Post.
- ^ Helderman, Rosalind S. (September 13, 2006). "Johnson Claims Reelection Win". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ Spivack, Miranda S. (September 16, 2010). "Rushern Baker's victory suggests wish for change in Prince George's". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
- ^ Spivack, Miranda S.; DeBonis, Michael; Wiggins, Ovetta (December 7, 2010). "At inauguration, Rushern Baker sees 'chance to get it right' in Prince George's". The Washington Post.
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (July 23, 2019). "Rushern Baker, University of Maryland teaming up on leadership institute". WTOP. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ "Rushern Baker III, Prince George's County, Md". Governing.
- ^ "County HQ move to Largo still up in the air". PG Sentinel.
- ^ Sears, Bryan P. "Baker announces candidacy for Md. governor – Maryland Daily Record".
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (April 8, 2021). "Rushern Baker to Enter 2022 Race for Governor". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (October 12, 2021). "Rushern Baker Taps Nancy Navarro, Montgomery Councilmember, as Running Mate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ "Omega Chapters of Prince George's County, MD". National Pan-Hellenic Council of Prince George's County. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "Weighing Politics At Work, Wife's Dementia At Home". NPR.org.
- ^ Hernandez, Arelis (November 30, 2018). "Rushern Baker's stubborn focus helped transform Prince George's County". The Washington Post.
- ^ Hernández, Arelis R. (April 12, 2023). "This local politician just got a tattoo in honor of his wife". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Gallagher, Julie (September 18, 2021). "Christa Beverly Baker, wife of Md. gubernatorial candidate Rushern Baker, dies at 61". WTOP.com.