Rushern Baker

Rushern L. Baker III (born October 24, 1958) is an American politician and lawyer. 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 2017 and 2018, he mounted an unsuccessful primary campaign to become Governor of Maryland.[1]

Rushern Baker
7th Executive of Prince George's County
In office
December 6, 2010 – December 3, 2018
Preceded byJack B. Johnson
Succeeded byAngela Alsobrooks
Personal details
Born (1958-10-24) October 24, 1958
Valdosta, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Christa Beverly
EducationHoward University (BA, JD)
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life and education

Baker was born in Valdosta, Georgia and grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts.[2][3][4] Baker's father, a Green Beret[4] who served in the Vietnam War,[5] mother, and 3 siblings lived on an Army base in Okinawa, Japan for a time before settling in Massachusetts.[6] Baker recalls having learning struggles in school.[7] He received his bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor from Howard University in 1982 and 1986, respectively.[4][7][8]

Career

Maryland House of Delegates
Baker at the opening of MGM National Harbor

Baker represented legislative district 22B in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1994 to 2003, where he served on various subcommittees and task forces.[7][9][10] He also served as Executive Director for the Community Teacher's Institute, located in Lanham, Maryland.[3][10]

Prince George's County Executive

In 2002 and 2006, Baker ran unsuccessfully for the office of Prince George's County Executive.[7] In 2006, he was narrowly defeated by the incumbent County Executive, Jack B. Johnson in the primary election.[11]

In November 2010, Baker won the election to replace Johnson, who was term-limited.[12] Baker was sworn in as County Executive on December 6, 2010.[13]

Baker served as President of County Executives of America from 2014 to 2015.[14] He was named Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine in 2015.[15]

2018 Maryland gubernatorial election campaign
Main article: Maryland gubernatorial election, 2018

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 includes Baltimore attorney Elizabeth Embry.[16] He was endorsed by the Washington Post, but lost the Democratic primary to Ben Jealous, 40 percent to 29 percent.[1]

Personal life

Baker met his wife, Christa Beverly, as an undergraduate at Howard University in 1978.[3] They lived in Washington, D.C., briefly, before settling in Cheverly, MD, where they raised three children, including son Rushern Baker IV.[2][4]

In 2010, Baker's wife was diagnosed with Early-onset Alzheimer's disease.[7][17] 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.[17] Baker is an active member of the Alzheimer's Association.[18]

References
  1. "Maryland Primary Election Results". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  2. Hernández, Arelis R. (2017-06-21). "Rushern Baker, leader of Prince George's, to run for Md. governor in 2018". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  3. Thomas-Lester, Avis (2006-08-30). "In Pr. George's, the Unknown vs. the Charmer". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  4. Aizenman, Nurith C. (2002-09-04). "A Rising Star's Biggest Risk". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  5. 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 2020-09-10.
  6. Kearney, Reginald (2017-06-22). "Rushern Baker, leader of Prince George's, to run for Md. governor in 2018". Urban Sentinel. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  7. Hernández, Arelis R. "Rushern Baker: Economic success, political bruising as leader of Prince George's". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  8. Paul, Pritha (21 June 2017). "Who Is Rushern Baker? Prince George's County Executive Running For Maryland Governor". International Business Times. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  9. "Rushern L. Baker III". House of Delegates—Former Delegates. Maryland State Archives. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  10. Trejos, Nancy (1 May 2003). "Ex-Delegate Now Recruits Teachers". The Washington Post.
  11. Helderman, Rosalind S. (2006-09-13). "Johnson Claims Reelection Win". ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. DePuyt, Bruce (23 July 2019). "Rushern Baker, University of Maryland teaming up on leadership institute". WTOP. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  15. "Rushern Baker III, Prince George's County, Md". Governing.
  16. Sears, Bryan P. "Baker announces candidacy for Md. governor – Maryland Daily Record".
  17. "Weighing Politics At Work, Wife's Dementia At Home". NPR.org.
  18. Hernandez, Arelis (30 November 2018). "Rushern Baker's stubborn focus helped transform Prince George's County". The Washington Post.
Preceded by
Jack B. Johnson		 Executive of Prince George's County
December 6, 2010–December 3, 2018		 Succeeded by
Angela D. Alsobrooks
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