Catharine Bailey Baker (born May 1, 1971) is an American attorney and politician from California. Baker was a Republican member of the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2018.^[2] She has served on the California Fair Political Practices Commission (the state's ethics commission) since 2021.^[3][4][5]

Baker was born as Catharine Ann Bailey in Cathedral City, California.^[6]

In 1993, Baker earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Chicago. In 2000, Baker earned a JD degree in Law from UC Berkeley School of Law.^[6]

In 2000, Baker started her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Alicemarie Huber Stotler, a judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California.^[6]

In 2001, Baker practiced law as an attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP until 2011.^[6] In 2011, Baker practiced law as an attorney at Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel.^[6][7]

On November 4, 2014, Baker won the election and became a Republican member of California State Assembly for District 16, which encompasses Lamorinda and the Tri-Valley region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Baker defeated Dublin City Councilman Tim Sbranti with 51.6% of the votes.^[8][9] On November 8, 2016, as an incumbent, Baker won the election and continued serving District 16. Baker defeated Pleasanton City Councilwoman Cheryl Cook-Kallio with 55.9% of the vote.^[10]

On November 6, 2018, as an incumbent, Baker sought a third term but narrowly lost the election with 49% of the votes. Baker was defeated by attorney Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.^[11][6]

During her time in office, Baker was the only Republican to represent any portion of the Bay Area at either the federal or the state level.^[12][13] A piece of legislation she authored was AB 434: State Web accessibility which came in effect on July 1, 2019.^[14]

• 2017 NFWL Elected Women of Excellence award. Presented by National Foundation for Women Legislators (November 14, 2017).^[15]
• 2017 California School Boards Association (CSBA) Legislator of the Year.^[16]
• 2017 We The People Award. Presented by California Common Cause.^[17]
• California Distinguished Advocacy Award. Presented by American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.^[17]
• Crime Victims United Legislator of the Year.^[7]
• March of Dimes Legislative Champion Award.^[7]

After leaving the California State Assembly, Baker has returned to private practice as an attorney, and is currently Special Counsel at Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel, advising businesses and non-profit organizations.^[18]

In August 2019, Baker joined the board of Livermore Lab Foundation, a nonprofit organization,^[19] and was named the President of Diablo Regional Arts Association.^[20]

In December 2020, State Controller Betty Yee appointed Baker to a seat on the five-member California Fair Political Practices Commission for a four-year term beginning in January 2021.^[3][4][5]

Baker's husband is Dan Baker. They have two children. Baker and her family live in Dublin, California.^[6][17]