My name is Judy Baker and I'm a State Representative running for US Congress in Missouri's Ninth District. This is an open seat that you probably read about last week on this website, as the DCCC is planning to spend almost a million dollars to win back this seat. I just have to get through a primary on Aug. 5th.
But I didn't have a primary when I first decided to take on the incumbent Republican Congressman in 2007...
In fact, US Representative Kenny Hulshof had enjoyed twelve years without well-funded competition and it didn't look like anyone was going to change that in 2008. But when I looked at his votes, his steadfast support of President Bush and the lack of responsiveness to his constituents, I knew that I had to stand up against him. I know on this website you talk about not letting any Republicans go unchallenged. I thought this district, state and country had too much at stake for me for me to let that happen.
From the November 2007 Columbia Daily Tribune article you can see what I mean:
Rep. Judy Baker tried to convince herself it wasn’t the time for a congressional campaign. But the prospect of such a run kept grabbing her and wouldn’t let go.
"I feel that the issues are so critical at such a critical juncture that I feel like the whole thing won’t even let me go," Baker said.
Running against Hulshof would break a recent trend of inexperienced candidates facing the six-term lawmaker. Even though the Ninth District was Democratic for decades and possesses a sturdy bench of Democratic state lawmakers and local officeholders, Hulshof has won re-election handily since upending Harold Volkmer in 1996.
And this CAN be a Democratic seat. Since 1923, it has been consistently held by a Democrat with the exception of Rep. Hulshof. There are many elected Democrats in counties across this wide district. And in 2008 the tide is even stronger in our favor, as 14,000 more people took Democratic ballots in our February 5th primary. Hillary Clinton narrowly won our district that day and many of her supporters have come on board our team as they want to see me become the first woman ever elected to this seat. I will also represent the Democratic Party's message of change, highlighted in one of the commercials we've been airing:
And now that Hulshof has retired, several other Democrats have joined the race too. These are good people who are running for this seat because they care, but I was the one with the courage to take on the incumbent even though it was going to be hard. We need more people with that kind of courage in Washington. As I said in December:
"I thought that it was not time to be shy about what we stand for and what we needed to be doing," Baker said. "And I thought that it was important that we not back down from the serious challenges that we have today. So I showed up to make sure that voices got heard and change came about."
I was the only candidate to oppose the federal gas tax holiday and say that we cannot drill our way out of our long-term energy crisis. If elected I will do everything I can to ensure the United States puts the same resources and energy into getting us off of foreign oil that we did in putting a man on the moon. Additionally, my twenty-five year background in health care gives me the tools I need to insure every American has affordable access.
We were on the Top 10 of ActBlue fundraisers a few weeks ago and have raised more money than anyone else, Democratic or Republican, in this race. I know resources are stretched thin, but I would appreciate any support you can give. Today is also the fundraising deadline for my race and any support you can give now or in the future is greatly appreciated.
Donate here and let us know it was from Daily Kos readers.
This is my first diary but it won't be my last. Keep doing all that you're doing and 2008 is going to be a great year.
Sincerely,
Representative Judy Baker
PS Besides my website, you can become a Facebook supporter or add me as a friend.