Almaria Baker

Almaria Baker was born in Cadiz, Kentucky. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville in 2001. She also graduated from the University of Louisville in 2003 and the University of the Cumberlands in 2013. Her career experience includes working as a teacher, business owner, adjunct professor, and early childhood interventionist. Baker has been affiliated with the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, NAACP, and JCTA.[1][2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Almaria Baker was born in Cadiz, Kentucky. She holds a Master's degree, Specialist degree, and Doctorate degree from the University of Louisville and the University of the Cumberlands. Her career experience includes working as a teacher (JCPS), small business owner (Early Learning Foundation), Adjunct Professor (Campbellsville University), and other early childhood positions.

Dr. Baker's community involvement include:

Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. - Member

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) - Former Executive Board Member

Jefferson County Teacher Association (JCTA) - Member

Iroquois High School (IHS) - Racial Equity Envoy

Louisville Democratic Party (LDP) - Executive Board.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As a member of the teacher's union (JCTA), education is extremely important to me. Included in education, I feel strongly about child labor laws. Children should only work a minimum amount of hours, so they are able to attend school.

As a public school teacher, I am against charter schools. I feel as though it will take away valuable resources needed for students of color.Environment/Climate - Chemical companies should be regulated.Reproductive Health - I think it is important for a woman to be able to decide for herself, what should happen with HER body. I am pro-choice.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Environment/Climate, Reproductive Health, and Safety

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, Fairness, Ethical, Trustworthy/Honesty, Approachable, Resourceful, Energetic, Fearless, Creative, etc.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honesty, personable, Visible, Prompt, etc.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Always keep the constituents in mind when making decisions...think about those stories told in the district as you knocked doors while campaigning. This office should be the voice of those in the district.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Dairy Queen - a few weeks

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Taxes, Healthcare, Medical Marijuana, and Education

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes...it is always beneficial to build positive relationships with people you encounter. Building positive relationships with other legislators can only enhance your work in the House of Representatives.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Joni Jenkins, Beverly Chester Burton, and Katurah Herron

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

KY AFL-CIO

Better Schools Kentucky

Greater Louisville Central Labor Council

Iron Workers Local 70

General Drivers Warehouse Men & Helpers Local Union 89

Moms Demand Action

What committees interest you?

Education and the Workforce

Social, Humanitarian & Cultural

Administrative & Budgetary

Ethics

Small Business

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have been a teacher with JCPS for almost 20 years. Currently, I teach at DuValle Education Center (DEC). There, I take on the following rolls: Professional Learning Community Lead - analyzes data and plan common lessons; Racial Equity Committee Lead - incorporates and assess racial equity across the three pillars and six systems of JCPS as it relates to DEC; and the Leadership Team - meets with administration and serves as the voice for the teachers in the building.

I serve as a Professional Building Representative with Jefferson County Teachers Association - serving as the voice for the teachers in the building.

In addition to working for JCPS, I am the owner of Early Learning Foundation, Inc. “ELF” is a non-profit organization that provides early childhood training opportunities to childcare directors and staff, early intervention services to children ages 0-3, parent training/coaching, and childcare.

I have taught early childhood courses at Campbellsville University, Ashford University and Central State University.

My community involvement include:

Member of the Louisville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

Member of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)

Former Volunteer with Louisville Central Community Centers (LCCC)

Former Volunteer with the Center for Women and Families

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

A Voice for You! I want to be the voice for those who have been silenced...those who may not feel comfortable expressing themselves. I believe in putting the concerns of the community first.It’s Time for a Change! District 28 needs new/fresh ideas. I want to bring a new perspective to the issues that any community member may have.New Leadership for a Better District 28/Community! I have the ability to connect with those in the community. I am a people-person and also have the ability to inspire others.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about:

Education

Environment

Healthcare

Justice Reform

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My parents are no longer living, but they are who I look up to. Knowing the things children are subjected to now-a-days, I really appreciate my upbringing. Both parents were educators and had 12 children. They instilled in us the importance of an education. I look up to them because they faced adversity (low-no income, prejudice community/town, etc.) but they never gave up...always made sure we had what we needed.

Another example I would like to follow would be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The way he carried himself...always thinking of others, quick to forgive, etc., we definitely need these qualities today. When I think of his influence on the world, I am overwhelmed. He was just a great man.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty

Compassion

Empathy

Great Communication skills

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

time-management

honesty

problem-solver

communication skills

people-person

work well with others

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was 15 when the Space Challenger fatality happened. I remember we didn't have school that day. Every one was watching it on tv. I'll never forget it.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I obtained my first job at the age of 16. I worked at Dairy Queen in Cadiz, Kentucky through JTPA - Job Training Partnership Program at Trigg County High School. I had the job for about a month because I (and another student) was fired. We thought that because we were on Christmas break, we didn't have to work, so we failed to show up at the job. When we returned to school, our JTPA teacher informed us that we had been let go (fired). Within a week, my teacher found me another job...a day care center. This is where my love for children was developed. I have worked with children ever since.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Another one bites the dust

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature first be respect among all involved.

The governor and legislature should be able to work together for the overall good of its constituents.

In advance, the governor is able to call special legislative sessions. The governor and legislature work together to approve budgets, enact legislation, confirm executive/judicial appointment, and more. Overall, the governor and the legislation should have a relationship of respect, teamwork, etc., always keeping the people's concerns in mind.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Education

Healthcare

Infrastructure

Crime/violence

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Advantages - offers more responsibility to legislators. More accountability to their constituents.

Laws are easily passed, more economical

Disadvantages - Workload is greater. Susceptible to party influence. Could be dictatorial. No representation for unique interests.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, I think it would be beneficial to have some previous experience. However, I also think that if you have experience within your community, that helps in the process as well.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, it is beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. Not only is it important to build relationships because it is a part of life, but by building relationships, you are able to get ideas and gain knowledge of things happening in other districts. Being able to support and communicate with other legislators would be beneficial to all.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

A state can be classified by three methods for redistricting:

Legislature-dominant - "The legislature has the ultimate authority to draft and enact district maps. "

Commission - "An extra legislative commission has the authority to draft and enact district maps."

Hybrid - "Legislature shares redistricting authority with a commission."

Kentucky is a legislature-dominate state.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Yes, I would like to be a part of the following three committees:

Education

Economic Development and Workforce Investment

Health and Family Services Committee

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

n/a

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

n/a

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

no

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

When talking to some of the residents in District 28, a few were concerned with education. However, it wasn't what I was expecting to hear. When "education" is mentioned, you automatically think of funding, charter schools, etc. These residents talked about violence in the schools. They talked about bullying in schools...and they do not feel as though their child is safe at the place where they should be SAFE, which is the school. As an educator myself, I told the residents that I understood their concerns, and empathized with them.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Yes. Currently, Kentucky "establishes oversight powers for a legislative committee to exercise over emergency administrative regulations." Governors are able to respond to emergencies quickly. The legislation plays the role of making sure that the powers are not abused in a time of crisis. An example would be the Covid-19 pandemic. Another example would be natural disasters (tornadoes, fire, etc.)

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, it is very necessary when making policies. People may not always be able to get what they want, but when you compromise, you can somehow get some of what you want. So again, yes, I think compromise is good.