Representative Dave Baker Contact information

Dave Baker (born March 27, 1962) is an American politician serving as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015. He is a member of the Republican Party of Minnesota and represents District 16B in west-central Minnesota, which includes the city of Willmar and parts of Kandiyohi County.

Early Life and Education: Baker was raised in Hamel, Minnesota. He attended Aitkin High School and the St. Cloud Area Vocational Technical Institute, where he studied sales and management.

Career: Before his political career, Baker owned and operated restaurants, hotels, and small businesses. He ran a restaurant in Willmar, Minnesota, for 12 years before his election to the legislature. Baker also owns Green Lake Cruises in western Minnesota and a Super 8 motel.

Political Career: Baker was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2014 and has been reelected every two years since. He defeated one-term DFL incumbent Mary Sawatsky. Baker is the minority lead on the Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Human Services Finance and Human Services Policy Committees. He also serves as an assistant minority leader, a position he has held since 2021. From 2015 to 2016, Baker was an assistant majority leader.

Opioid Epidemic: In 2011, Baker’s 25-year-old son Dan died of a heroin overdose, after becoming addicted to opioids legally prescribed for an injury. In the legislature, Baker has been active in addressing the opioid epidemic. He has authored legislation that would impose tougher restrictions on prescribing opioids, require doctors to check patient histories, reduce the duration of prescriptions and expand safe disposal sites at pharmacies. Baker co-authored legislation that would require doctors to check up on patients before prescribing opioid painkillers. In 2018, Baker worked on the “Opioid Epidemic Response Law” with DFL State Senator Chris Eaton, who also lost a child to opioids. Baker carried legislation in 2017 that imposed a “penny a pill” or “stewardship fee” on opioid manufacturers.

Personal Life: Baker is married to Mary and they have three children. They reside in Willmar, Minnesota.