Response from Judy Baker, State Treasurer Candidate

1. What do you view as the key role, and/or attributes needed for this position? What experience/attributes do you have that qualify you for this position? 

Key to the role of State Treasurer is having an understanding of the financial systems in our state and what every segment of our population needs for economic opportunity and asset building. I have the experience as a CEO in the private sector, as a former State Representative, as a Professor of Economics and Policy Making (MU, Columbia College, Washington University), as a Former Regional Director HHS, as a Consultant in Asset Building, and as a Senior Fellow with eRepublic. Finally, when I was in the legislature I created the Bi-partisan Anti-poverty Caucus. This experience gives me a unique understanding on what our people need for economic opportunity, and what government, or the private sector, can do to help provide that opportunity for all.

Experience: Chief Executive Officer (x2) in Private Sector, Former State Representative, Professor of Economics and Policy-making (MU, Columbia College, Washington University), Former Regional Director HHS, Consultant – Asset Building, Senior Fellow - eRepublic/Governing Institute (Governmental Innovation Accelerator), Health Care Reforms, Biotech Start-ups, Governmental Task Force.

Education: BES – University of Missouri, MDiv Southern Seminary, MHA – University of Missouri

Past Leadership:

Founder, Bi-partisan Anti-poverty Caucus and Healthy Missourians Caucus, MOLeg 2005-2009

Member, Consumer Advisory Council, Missouri Foundation for Health, current

Member, Investment Commitment, MFH, managing $1.2B, current

Ranking member, Budget, Education, Small Business, and Health Care Committees, MOLeg, 2008-2009

Vice Chair, Federal Executive Board, KC, MO 2011

Outstanding Alumni Service Award, University of Missouri, 2008


2. Why do you think you are the best person for this position? What differentiates you from your opponent(s)?

I have experience in both public and private sectors, leadership roles in large organizations, manager responsibility of large budgets, performance in big races (like my congressional race), proven ability to raise sufficient funds to compete in a big race, appeal in rural areas (top democratic performer in rural areas in recent poll and in previous races), vast network of colleagues and partners that work on tax reform, poverty issues, lending and payday loan issues, health care reform, women’s issues, sustainable farming, renewable energy, and economic empowerment.

What differentiates me from my opponent is that I am going to run a campaign that is about economic opportunity for all of Missouri. This election is not about younger vs. older, or richer vs. poorer. This election is about economic opportunity for all and moving forward as one.

Second, I have the electability and network across the state to win. It is going to be vital in the general election to not just win in KC and STL, but to perform in the middle of the state where I have proven I can run a competitive campaign. A recent poll showed me trailing the republican nominee, Eric Schmitt, by only 3-percentage points – we need a candidate who can close that gap in November and begin the general election with the name ID to win. If nominated, because of my very high name recognition I will be in a much better starting place in the general election than my democratic primary opponent. 

Finally, I have seasoned debate skills to go to toe-to-toe with Eric Schmitt in the fall. We know the republicans will throw the kitchen sink at any candidate, and we can’t afford to turn the keys of the Treasurers office over to Eric Schmitt.


3. What do you feel are the most pressing issues currently facing this office and what plans do you have to address these issues? (please be specific)

(1) Asset Building for Underserved Populations:
            a. Creating child development accounts; making Prison to Re-entry Savings program a priority so when someone re-enters society they can have the financial backing and support to keep them moving forward; low-interest loan assistance for small and sustainable farmers and renewable energy.

(2) Delivering on a platform of economic opportunity for all to include:
            a. Wage reforms and gender and minority parity, tax reforms to reward corporate responsibility, grow union participation and pension protections, protect prevailing protections on MHDC, improve performance of investment portfolio, continue work on Medicaid Expansion that leaves $2B/yr and 40,000 good paying jobs on the table.

(3) Transparency and Efficiency of Government –
            a. Will use my experience as Senior Fellow at eRepublic to modernize the office and encourage the public and private financial sectors to use advanced technology and other organizational innovations to hold government accountable and help it serve the public better and more efficiently.


4. Describe how you work with, or will work with, others to address your priorities.

I would work with: Union leadership, Empower Missouri, CCO, Missouri Budget Project, NAACP, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Black Chamber of Commerce, Beyond Housing in STL, Better Together, Nancy Farmer, Former MO State Treasurer, Bob Holden, Former MO State Treasurer, Clint Zweifel, current State Treasurer, Janet Cowell, Treasurer, North Carolina, Kate Marshall – Former Treasurer – Nevada (implemented CSA’s statewide in Nevada), Michael Sherraden, WU (internationally recognized scholar on asset building).


5. Who are your 3 largest campaign contributors? Do you have a policy on accepting lobbyist gifts? Are there donors from whom you will not accept campaign contributions?

My three largest campaign contributors are:
       Tom & Anne Smith

       Hilda "Pat" Jones

       Beau Aero

I will not accept lobbyist gifts while in office and I will not accept campaign contributions from any donor who would expect me to do anything that is not in the interest of Missouri’s working families and my constituents.