Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 25, 1995 TAG: 9504250100
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
So far Baker, 38, faces no opposition in his bid to continue to represent Radford, Pulaski and western Giles County, including Pearisburg and Narrows. Baker won a close election in 1989, crushed his Democratic opponent in 1991 and ran unopposed in 1993.
A lawyer with an office in Dublin, Baker said he would continue to make economic development a priority. He said he played a direct role in the expansion of the Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corp., which announced an expansion last year in part because of state incentives. The expansion will create 600 to 800 new jobs, he said.
"Enterprise zone legislation I carried for Pulaski County played a crucial role in making this significant economic development a reality," he said in a press release. "This is a major legislative accomplishment which we can all be proud of."
Baker said he would continue to support legislation that's helpful to his 7th District, and not necessarily just legislation supported by his party. "I have always tried to vote the convictions of the people in our district and to do as they would do if they were in Richmond," he said.
Baker said he'd had the support of labor and business groups, educators and the National Rifle Association in the past.
Baker cited other legislative achievements: $3.8 million for an economic development center under construction at New River Community College, restored state spending for Radford University and finalization of a major expansion of the New River Trail State Park.
Baker serves on the House Courts of Justice Committee, the Education Committee and the Health and Welfare Committee.
He also supported a bill that Democrats say will return state lottery proceeds to public education. Most House Republicans opposed that effort, many saying it was nothing more than a budgetary shell game, and favored another plan pushed by Republican Gov. George Allen. That second plan went down to defeat 57-42, with only seven Republicans, including Baker, voting against it.
Baker is the second New River Valley House member to announce a re-election campaign. Del. Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount, whose district includes Floyd County, also is seeking another term. Del. Jim Shuler, D-Blacksburg, is expected to announce soon, as is Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, who represents southern Montgomery County and his hometown. Shuler already has a Republican challenger, Montgomery Board of Supervisors Chairman Larry Linkous.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB