Carey Baker (born March 16, 1963) is an American politician currently serving as the Property Appraiser for Lake County, Florida. He is a former Republican member of the Florida Legislature. Baker served as the State Representative for the 25th District of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2004[1] and served as the State Senator for the 20th District of the Florida Senate from 2004 to 2010.
Baker was born and raised in Eustis. He is the son of former State Representative Leighton Baker. Baker's family has owned the A.W. Peterson Gun Shop since 1952. When Baker was 18 years old, he joined the family business.[2] Baker graduated from Tavares High School and attended Lake–Sumter Community College.[3]
Military service
March 2, 2004: Baker presents the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag on the Floor of the Florida House of Representatives. (photo by Mark Foley)
In 2003, while a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Baker was deployed to Iraq.[4] Baker's colleagues in the House tied a yellow ribbon around his chair on the House floor, which remained in place until he returned. In 2004, the Florida Legislature unanimously passed House Bill 1757, the Carey Baker Freedom Flag Act, which required every public school classroom in Florida to have an American flag on display.[5]
Ralph Poppell (R-Titusville), left, and Baker, right, confer on the House floor March 9, 2004. (photo by Mark Foley)
In 2004, Baker won a special election for the 20th District State Senate Seat after incumbent Anna Cowin announced she would run for Lake County Superintendent of Schools.[7] He was re-elected to full terms in 2006 and 2008.[8] The 20th Senate district includes parts of Marion, Sumter, Lake, Volusia and Seminole counties. While serving in the Florida Senate, he served as Chairman of the Senate Government Operations Committee[9] and on the Senate Transportation Committee, Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senate General Government Appropriation Committee.[10]
Baker with Legislative Aide Mike Norris and Miami Heat Center Alonzo Mourning
In 2012, Baker defeated Ed Havill for the position of Property Appraiser of Lake County, Florida, and ran unopposed in 2016.[11] In 2014, Baker was elected president of the Florida Association of Property Appraisers.[12]
Legislative activities
In 2003, Baker introduced HB 805, which expanded Florida's private school voucher program to the families of military personnel. As Baker was deployed to Iraq, Frank Attkisson presented the bill on Baker's behalf. The bill passed 74–42.[13]
In 2004, Baker passed legislation designating an eight-mile stretch of State Road 50, from Mascotte to Stuckey, the "Eric Ulysses Ramirez Highway". Ramirez was a 1991 graduate of Mount Dora High School, serving in the National Guard. He was killed on February 12, 2004, in Iraq. He was 31 years old.[14]
In 2006, Baker passed the Justin McWilliams Act into law. The legislation made it so the State Uniform Traffic Rules were applicable on private property.[15]
In 2007, Baker filed a bill to established a sales tax holiday, from June 1 through 12, 2007, exempting taxes on hurricane preparedness items.[16]
Baker first introduced legislation to ban texting while driving in 2007. The legislation died in committee.[17] In 2010, while serving as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, Baker filed SB 324 and SB 326, which would have banned anyone younger than 18 years of age from writing or sending a text message on an electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle, but it died in committee.[18]
In 2010, Baker introduced SJR 72, the Health Care Freedom Act. The act placed an initiative on the ballot that would have banned any laws requiring people buy health insurance. The bill passed the Senate and House and was placed on the ballot as Amendment 9.[20]
Electoral history
2000 Florida 25th House District Primary Election[21]
