T.J. Baker

T.J. Baker was born in Laurel, Mississippi. She earned a bachelor's degree from Texas Southern University in 1993 and a graduate degree from Grand Canyon University in 2011. Her career experience includes working as an educator and media resource specialist. She has been affiliated with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Rised by my own bootstraps!

No Safety Net.

Just grit and grace.

As an educator with over 25 years of experience (K–12, Special Education, and At-Risk Teens), I have also spent six years as a Den Mother for Troop 212 with the Sam Houston Area Council (SHAC/BSA) at St. James Episcopal Church, proudly becoming an Eagle Scout mom through the annex at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

I am a faithful and proud tither at One Church at Bethel’s Family. I lift my voice in the choir and minister through “I Am Worthy,” guiding beautiful souls with special needs to rise in self-esteem and walk in independence, for they, too, are divinely worthy!

In addition, I have served as an adjunct professor in ESL for adult learners. A dedicated union member, I was elected by a landslide twice, becoming the first Black woman to serve ... Twice as President of the Fort Bend Education Association (FBEA) total of eight years!

I've also worked as a City of Houston as a Reference Librarian. Alongside these roles as a historian and journalist, I have devoted my life to service, education, and advocacy. I have committed myself to telling the stories that matter most that confront the current and historical realities facing our community. And let me be clear: if my words don’t make you think — or piss you off — I didn’t do my job.

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?

“American business thrives on public funds — yet justice demands appointed oversight.”

Beneath every shining skyline, public hands have laid the bricks.

Taxpayers built the bridges that carry the wealth of a few.

Our teachers, workers, and dreamers have poured their labor into the nation’s promise,

so let no profit rise above accountability.

Oversight is not an obstacle; it is the conscience of democracy.

It whispers: Remember who built you.

When justice stands beside business, both can prosper

for America is strongest when fairness funds the future."Human Rights in District 131"

Every person in our community deserves dignity, safety, and the freedom to thrive.

Human rights are not privileges; they are our birthright! The foundation of a just society.

I will fight to ensure that every child can learn without fear, every family can live securely, and every voice — regardless of background — is heard and valued.

Justice is not complete unless compassion walks beside it, and in District 131, we will continue building a community where fairness, opportunity, and respect are not just ideals, but everyday realities."Equitable Taxation for All!"

Equitable taxation means that everyone contributes their fair share, not a burden on the many to subsidize the few.

It is the principle that our public resources, from roads and schools to safety and healthcare, are funded fairly and transparently.

No loophole should allow the wealthy to evade responsibility while working families struggle; no community should be left behind because of outdated policies.

True fairness in taxation ensures that prosperity is shared, opportunity is real, and public services reflect the needs of all citizens.

When every person and every business pays their just share, our communities grow stronger, our schools flourish, and our neighborhoods thrive.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Not only do I hear your concerns… I live them with you!

I feel the weight when schools are underfunded,

when streets whisper danger,

when access to healthcare feels just beyond reach.

Your voice is my compass, your struggle my guide.

Every worry, every hope, every quiet plea, I carry them to Austin.

I seek fair schools, safer streets, and healthcare for all, with lower premiums.

I strive to strengthen the foundation we have laid as committed constituents,

to act boldly, relentlessly, and with purpose.

Let us keep rising together, unwavering.

Let us keep moving — proactive and unyielding!

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

Who I Look Up To

Proactive leaders have more than one. I have three heroes: my parents and Dr. Thomas Freeman (“Doc”) of Texas Southern University’s Debate Team. Each shaped my soul differently, teaching me how to lead, and challenged for human rights!

My stepfather, Jessie Lee, had no high school diploma, not by choice, but by circumstance. Born to Mississippi sharecroppers, he learned survival under the harsh sun. Yet six months into hospice from pancreatic cancer, he ensured our Houston home was paid in full. From him, I learned ownership is liberation, and legacy is the ultimate of will power.

My mother, Elouise, battles severe epilepsy, dialysis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia, yet moves forward without apology. Her body bends, but her spirit never breaks. She taught me that perseverance is raw, loud, and necessary.

I wasn’t born with a safety net… Rised by My Own Bootstraps! My parents lived paycheck to paycheck, on union strikes, furloughed and food pantries, their credit bruised by a system that judged by skin before character.

Then came Dr. Freeman, who saw my fire before I knew how to use it. He challenged me, I wrote an 'After Dinner Speaking' literature “The Day They Shot Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Told through the eyes of a Black hustler and thief who didn’t care about civil rights, until the day the dreamer was taken.

Being the author of this particular writing; changed me and launched a four-year national championship in After-Dinner Speaking.

These three are the roots of my resilience, the fire beneath my purpose, and why I walk into every room knowing: I come from greatness. There's no life without challenges, but we are called to multiply lessons, turning struggle into strength, and ensuring District 131 thrives.

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

Not only do I hear your concerns… I live them with you!

I feel the weight when schools are underfunded,

when streets whisper danger,

when access to healthcare feels just beyond reach.

Your voice is my compass, your struggle my guide.

Every worry, every hope, every quiet plea, I carry them to Austin.

I seek fair schools, safer streets, and healthcare for all, with lower premiums.

I strive to strengthen the foundation we have laid as committed constituents,

to act boldly, relentlessly, and with purpose.

Let us keep rising together, unwavering.

Let us keep moving — proactive and unyielding!

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

The core responsibility of an elected official, I believe,

is to lift every voice and carry it forward.

To stand for those who cannot stand alone,

To lift the burdens of working families,

to secure the schools where our children learn,

the streets where our neighbors walk safely,

the healthcare that protects our most vulnerable.

It is to turn promises into action,

to wield power not for self, but for the mighty of District 131, to act with courage, compassion, and relentless purpose!

So that we all feel seen, heard, and valued,

and together, we build a future worth inheriting.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Legacy, I Want to Leave

I want to leave a legacy that echoes in the streets, the schools, the homes of District 131. A legacy of a leader who moves with purpose, not politics. A leader who can work across both parties yet never compromises the heartbeat of the constituents.

I want to be remembered as someone who did more than just showed up; never wasted taxpayers’ money, on day one ‘Boots On the Ground’ listening before speaking, acting before promising. A proactive force who turned ideas into action, struggles into solutions, and voices into change.

I want my legacy to be that District 131 always mattered, that every child could learn without fear, every family could thrive without limits, and every citizen knew their voice could move mountains. A legacy where fairness wasn’t optional, opportunity wasn’t a dream, and justice didn’t whisper… It roared!

When they speak of me years from now, I’m confident it will be said verbally and in print: State Representative Tj Baker of District 131 put her constituents first, always proactive, and lifted those who lost hope. Never once, letting politics dilute the power of her commitment. District 131 under her watch was never compromised, because she understood that real leadership is measured by the lives you touch, the hope you spark, and the communities you build.

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

Back in 2013, I stepped into history not just winning a landslide for my first term but securing another landslide for my second. Eight years of leadership as the first Black woman President of the Fort Bend Education Association (FBEA) was more than a title; it was a responsibility to every librarian, teacher, and support staff member under my guidance, a community of nearly 7,924 strong.

In that role, I didn’t just oversee numbers; I listened, I advocated, I built bridges, and I lifted voices that too often went unheard. I learned that leadership isn’t about power; it’s about service, persistence, and standing boldly for fairness, opportunity, and respect. Austin heard me loud and clear then and will again once I’m elected as your State Representative of District 131.

Every challenge, every triumph during those eight years shaped how I see public service today as a calling to fight for equity, to empower communities, and to make sure that when people work together, no one is left invisible.

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

My first job was at McDonald’s a classic American teen job, and I worked there throughout high school. What started as a way to earn some money quickly became a formative experience that shaped how I see service, leadership, and community.

Working at McDonald’s taught me far more than the basics of customer service. I learned the value of teamwork, integrity, and respect. Core values that the company emphasizes alongside its commitment to quality, cleanliness, and providing a welcoming environment. Every shift was an opportunity to practice patience, listen actively, and make people feel appreciated, whether they were customers or coworkers.

It was there that I first understood the importance of being an advocate for the community. I saw how small acts of smiling, helping someone with an order, or checking in on a regular customer could make a difference in someone’s day. McDonald’s motto, “I’m Lovin’ It,” isn’t just about food; it’s about creating experiences that leave people feeling seen, valued, and respected. That lesson has stayed with me ever since: whether in public service, community work, or politics, advocacy begins with listening, understanding, and acting to support others.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My Favorite Book

My favorite book is “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret”

A simple title, yet a deep conversation between a young girl and her Creator. A whisper of faith, confusion, and discovery that still echoes through every stage of womanhood.

When I first read it, I saw myself between those pages; a voice, asking the hard questions the world doesn’t always answer. Margaret’s honesty taught me that it’s okay to talk to God without ceremony; bring Him your doubt, your wonder, your awkward becoming.

The book reminded me that growth is about different stages of life, identity its layers, and faith doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. Note: My road map for District 131 upon serving my constituents!

Continuing; Judy Blume gave us permission to be real to say, “I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m still talking to God about it.”

That story stayed with me, not just as a childhood memory, but as a lifelong reminder:

the conversation between self and spirit never truly ends.

And sometimes, the most powerful prayers don’t need answers.

they just need to be spoken.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

If I Could Be Any Fictional Character

Don’t get me wrong, I love fiction.

I flip pages like beats, binge-watch like therapy,

because sometimes fantasy feels safer than reality.

But if you ask me, who I would like to be?

Truth is… I’m already living the wildest storyline I’ve ever seen.

Politics? That’s the real-life drama!

No cape, no script, no Hollywood camera.

Every day’s a plot twist;

alliances, speeches, and agendas continuing shifting.

I don’t need to be a superhero,

I’m already obstructing villains in suits and smiles.

Fiction’s cool, but real life’s where I rhyme my rise;

turning pressure into poetry, policy into power.

So nope, I don’t need to be a fictional character.

I’m out here writing my own.

Chapter by chapter,

District 131 this is my story… Defending for us by us!

Keeping it real, no edits, no glory.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

A Struggle in My Life

One of my greatest struggles has been putting myself last. Giving, solving, and ensuring the happiness of others has always come naturally. Yet it leaves me drained, exhausted, sometimes lost in fatigue. I’m still learning the art of self-therapy, of refilling my own cup before pouring into everyone else.

My joy comes from public service, from lifting others, from determination that moves mountains. But I’ve learned that true strength doesn’t come from endless giving alone; it comes from balance, from recognizing that caring for myself is not selfish, but necessary.

I’m still walking that line, still learning self-therapy while caring for my constituents. And in that struggle, I find resilience, purpose, and a deeper understanding: that by honoring my own self-care needs, will inspire others more; upon making District 131 a respectable coalition.

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

The ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature is not one of power wielded alone,

but of shared purpose and mutual respect.

It is a partnership rooted in listening,

where debate sharpens vision,

and compromise strengthens justice.

Together, they shape laws not for glory,

but for the people to build schools where children flourish, streets where communities thrive,

and systems that serve every voice equally.

In harmony, we'll turn governance into service,

and leadership into a promise kept. Your Voice - My Commitment!

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

The greatest challenges before our state

are not storms of weather, but of will.

We face widening gaps in wealth, in education, in care

where some rise too high while others fall unseen.

Our classrooms cry for equity,

our hospitals for access,

our streets for safety and understanding.

Growth without compassion builds towers, not communities.

The next decade will test our courage

to lead with empathy,

to balance progress with justice,

and to ensure that every Texan, from city to countryside,

has a fair chance to dream and to do.

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

Experience may guide the hand,

but empathy must lead the way.

Yes, knowledge of policy can steady the course,

yet wisdom is not owned by titles or years.

The best leaders… I, for one, remember what it means to struggle... To budget a paycheck, to teach a child, to care for a neighbor, or the elderly.

Government should not be a tower of the seasoned few,

but a table where real lives shape the law.

Experience helps us navigate, but compassion lived and proven is what truly governs well.

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

No King or President or One Political Party stands on disconnectedness!

Even the brightest star must share the sky.

To build with others is to weave the fabric of governance, each thread, a voice; each knot, a promise kept.

In fellowship, wisdom grows; in unity, justice finds her strength.

For a house divided cannot dream,

but hearts aligned may yet move mountains.

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

I look not to one alone,

but to the spirit of those who served with courage and conviction. From District 18, correlating with District 131, they walked the halls of power yet never left their constituents behind,

who turned principles into action

and empathy into policy.

I aspire to lead as they led

listening deeply, speaking boldly, and acting relentlessly, so that every voice, every hope, every struggle finds its echo in the halls of governance.

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

The path of service calls me where the need is greatest,

not merely where ambition leads.

My heart and hands are with District 131

its streets, its schools, its families.

The future is not what I’m chasing;

for office is not a prize,

but a vessel to turn hope into action and dreams into reality.

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?

Not just my own story as a divorced mother,

but thousands of familiar voices echo through these streets.

One lingers like a skipped heartbeat filled with distress.

A loving parent, juggling two jobs, still can’t feed their children,

yet is denied SNAP benefits because they earn eleven dollars over the limit.

They fear for their safety walking home at night,

after long rides on public transportation,

and wonder if healthcare will ever be more than a luxury.

Their story isn’t unique… It’s everyday reality in District 131.

It fuels my work and shapes my promise:

to be proactive for fair schools, safer streets,

and healthcare that reaches everyone.

Parents’ voices like these need to do more than just echo in Austin.

I carry their story with me every day,

because I rose by my own bootstrap, no safety net, just grit and grace!

Now it’s my turn to pay it forward on a higher platform of service.

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

Power, when unchecked, becomes its own storm.

Emergency or not, no hand should rule alone.

The legislature must stand as both witness and guardian,

ensuring that urgency never silences accountability.

For even in crisis, democracy must breathe

measured, mindful, and just.

Let swift action meet steady oversight,

so that protection never becomes possession,

and the people remain the heart of every decision.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Once elected as the State Representative for District 131… The first bill I’ll bring to the floor, and many others following, is written in the “Ink of Respect”

for the tired, the poor, the overlooked!

A bill that declares human rights aren’t optional,

that every soul deserves every possibility

not just to survive, but to live,

to dream loudly, and walk around with no fear.

Pursuing life and happiness without apology.

Because justice doesn’t whisper…

It speaks truth to power!

And I’m not stepping into Austin to play quiet.

I’m stepping in to remind them:

Dignity is a human right. Equity is a promise America must keep.

The people of District 131

will no longer wait to be seen.

And now here’s our proactive timeline to make it real,

with typical time estimates for each stage during the 140-day Texas legislative session.

It’s a lot of work, but my passion makes it my joy once it’s done!

________________________________________

Texas Bill-Passing Timeline (Approx. 140-Day Regular Session)

1.

Committee Referral & Review (Weeks 4–8)

Bill referred to the appropriate committee for hearings, amendments, and public input.

2.

Committee Vote & Report (Weeks 8–10)

Committee debates, votes, and sends the bill to the House calendar for floor consideration.

3.

House Floor Debate (Weeks 10–12)

Three readings: first reading, debate/amendments, final passage in the House.

4.

Senate Process (Weeks 12–16)

Senate committee review, hearings, floor debate, amendments, and vote.

5.

Conference Committee & Final Approval (Weeks 16–18)

Reconcile any differences between House and Senate versions; both chambers vote on the final bill.

6.

Governor’s Desk (Weeks 18–20)

Governor signs, vetoes, or allows the bill to become law without signature.

7.

Implementation & Funding Rollout (Post-Session: Months 6–12)

Agencies allocate funds, draft rules, and set start dates.

Community oversight ensures the law reaches its intended impact.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Who Endorses My Campaign

The streets endorse me!

The cracked sidewalks that carried our stories,

the corners where dreams are crying out between the current political chaos.

The struggles endorse me!

the single mothers balancing two jobs and hope,

the fathers rebuilding faith brick by brick,

the youth demanding to be seen and heard with more and more communities’ libraries closing. Those unspoken warriors for human rights in District 131.

Not seeking corporate handshakes or sell-out deals.

Just the heartbeat of the constituents

the rhythm of resilience,

the echo of every voice that’s been told to wait its turn.

Those are my appreciate endorsements.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

A ballot initiative could give Texans a louder voice,

let constituents move the needle when the halls of power stall.

But it’s not all easy; there are pitfalls we must watch for,

safeguards to keep it fair, transparent, and open to all.

Texas don’t roll this way yet.

So any step forward must be in the constituent’s favor.

Momentum from the streets, the schools, the churches, the neighborhoods,

and a chorus of education telling every constituent the risks, the wins, and the secrets of the other political party’s game.

But don’t get it twisted — even without that process,

change is not locked out.

Together, we will speak at hearings, organize block by block!

Because power belongs to the constituents of District 131.

No more talking about change… We’re pushing through.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

Not just my own story as a divorced mother,

but thousands of familiar voices echo through these streets.

One lingers like a skipped heartbeat filled with distress.

A loving parent, juggling two jobs, still can’t feed their children,

yet is denied SNAP benefits because they earn eleven dollars over the limit.

They fear for their safety walking home at night,

after long rides on public transportation,

and wonder if healthcare will ever be more than a luxury.

Their story isn’t unique… It’s everyday reality in District 131.

It fuels my work and shapes my promise:

to be proactive for fair schools, safer streets,

and healthcare that reaches everyone.

Parents’ voices like these need to do more than just echo in Austin.

I carry their story with me every day,

because I rose by my own bootstrap, no safety net, just grit and grace!

Now it’s my turn to pay it forward on a higher platform of service.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Back in 2013, I broke the glass ceiling! Not just winning a landslide for my first term but securing another landslide for my second. Eight years of leadership as the first Black woman President of the Fort Bend Education Association (FBEA) was more than a title; it was a responsibility to every librarian, teacher, and support staff member under my guidance, a community of nearly 7,924 strong.

In that role, I didn’t just oversee numbers I listened, I advocated, I built bridges, and I lifted voices that too often went unheard. I learned that leadership isn’t about power; it’s about service, persistence, and standing boldly for fairness, opportunity, and respect. Austin heard me loud and clear then and will again once I’m elected as your State Representative of District 131.

Every challenge, every triumph during those eight years shaped how I see public service today as a calling to fight for equity, to empower communities, and to make sure that when people work together, no one is left invisible.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in your state?

Reimagining Texas Elections: A Call for Equity and Access!

Every vote is a voice.

Every voice deserves to be heard.

We will be proactive together for access for all.

So no Texan stands in the shadow of barriers.

Transparent. Secure. Fair.

District 131 must reflect all of us.

Because democracy isn’t a privilege,

it’s the heartbeat among us constituents,

and in District 131, we will make sure it beats loud.

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