Name *
Arthur Radford Baker, Jr.
Age *
63
Office and District
U.S. Congress-3rd District of Maryland
City and County of Residence *
Ellicott City, Howard County
Political Party *
Republican
Education *
A.A., B.S., M.A., J.D. (Member of the bar: Maryland, D.C., Michigan, and U.S. Supreme Court)
Career/Occupation *
Retired FBI agent (30+yrs), Attorney, former Baltimore County police officer, Actor
Political Experience *
Investigative counsel to both the U.S. House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Staff counsel on the House Judiciary Committee, subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. I also served as a senior liaison to the U.S. Congress on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). I have also been a lifelong participant in the most important process in politics and government...voting.
Website *
www.artformaryland.com
Facebook Page
facebook.com/VoteArtforMaryland
Public Twitter Handle
Public Instagram Handle
Public TikTok Handle
currently none
YouTube Page
currently none
Other Public Social Media Accounts
IMDb.me/radfordbaker This the link to my Internet Movie Data Base page
Why are you running for office? *
Law and order has been my life's work and it is naturally my number one campaign issue. While I believe everyone deserves a fair trial and competent counsel, the liberal policies of Maryland democrats and similar policies on a national level have brought us very serious and dangerous crime problems. These problem constitute a crises and are unprecedented in my lifetime. We are rapidly becoming a lawless society. I believe you deal with crime by getting tough on crime…employing every aspect of the criminal justice system to that end. If elected as a new representative, I would not be new to Capitol Hill. I worked as a counsel on the House Judiciary Committee, detailed from the FBI for several years. After my retirement from the FBI with over 30 years service, I was recruited by, and worked for, both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committees. The nature of these special investigations related to potential improprieties in the 2016 presidential campaign and election. I believe my experience as an FBI agent, police officer, and attorney, combined with my 7 years of experience on Capitol Hill makes me suitable to address the crime problem and other serious issues that Maryland and the U.S. are facing. If sent to Washington to represent Marylanders...I can and will get to work on the very first day!
Who do you consider your political role model, and why? *
I worked for, and observed several members of the House of Representatives during my tenure on Capitol Hill. I worked for these gentlemen and saw their styles up close. There were many role models to choose from. I will have to choose 2 for this answer. For a brief time, I served as legislative director to the late Howard Coble from North Carolina. While I had known Rep. Coble for a long time, in this capacity I observed him closely in his personal office setting. He greeted every staffer in the morning and said goodbye to them at the end of day. Everyone was important to him. Such a small gesture of kindness promoted fierce loyalty and facilitated strong team bonding. I also saw that he treated his constituents the same way. He was genuine and honest, but yet a clever and astute politician; folksy yet strategic. RIP Howard Coble, you were a great man. In my last assignment on Capitol Hill, I worked for Rep. Bob Goodlatte from Virginia. He was passionate about political issues and causes, but not obnoxious or self-absorbed. He was a true statesman. When he had to make a decision about how to proceed on a major issue, he would call his investigative staff together. He would then go around the room, one-by-one, and seek advice from his counsels. He would question a counsel's position and then proceed to the next counsel. While the final decision on matters was his, he valued and relied on the opinions of his staff. With him as a committee chairman, you were a critical of the team. The valuable lessons I learned from observing these two gentlemen were incorporated into my own management style. Both of these outstanding men were true examples of the fact that a lion doesn't have to roar.
What is your favorite book about politics and policy, and why? *
The Wizard of Oz. Because, because, because...Because of the wonderful things he does...
What will be your top priority if elected? *
Crime and justice issues along with national security.
What are the three biggest issues facing your district? *
Crime, Immigration, taxes and so many other equally significant issues.
What are the three biggest issues facing Maryland? *
Crime, immigration, taxes and so many other equally significant issues.
What are the three biggest issues facing our country? *
Crime, immigration, taxes and so many other equally significant issues.
What is your position on life issues? (abortion, assisted suicide) *
I respect all life. I am always puzzled by the groups that advocate for broad abortion rights and assisted suicide rights, yet oppose the death penalty for convicted serial murderers.
What is your position on taxes, spending, and the federal deficit? *
Taxes are too high, spending is too much and often wasteful, any deficit makes us weak and needs to be addressed.
What is your position on gun rights? *
I support taking guns from the criminals and having meaningful punishments for using a gun in the commission of a crime. Bring back mandatory sentencing for use of a gun in a crime or for possessing one if you are disqualified from having one. Maryland and the current president focus on disarming law abiding citizens with policies that make becoming the victim of a crime more of a reality. Criminals LOVE gun laws because such laws create easy victims. Maryland has historically had some of the strictest gun control laws in the U.S. Has this reduced violent crime in general and specifically gun crimes? It has NOT!
What is your position on the federal legalization of marijuana? *
I personally do not support the federal legalization of marijuana. I do support the right of the electorate to change, adopt, or reject laws at the ballot box.
What is your position on trade? *
Free trade has good and bad consequences and should be evaluated carefully. U.S. policy should be focused on equal benefits for the U.S. from trading as those received by countries that we trade with. Opening new markets and the opportunities that come with that are great, but do we then become less dependent on our own abilities to domestically produce and hence become too dependent on foreign suppliers and foreign supply chains? In particular, trade opens up opportunities to study and exploit vulnerabilities in our technology and to have our intellectual property stolen. Both of these issues allow foreign companies to bring their copied (ripped off from the U.S.) products to market without the costs associated with research and development. It creates a scenario where the U.S. essentially loses certain trade battles to itself.
What is your position on foreign policy and military issues? *
The U.S.is at a critical point in world leadership. Other countries are vying to be the dominate influence in the world, a position that was previously solely occupied by the U.S. How we manage the competition for this role from the countries that are emerging as challengers will have repercussions for generations to come. Foreign policy should be based on this reality and the potential consequences if the U.S. departs the world stage. As always we should maintain a strong, ready, and modern military. As careers in the trades are rightly promoted as an alternative to attending college, military careers should also be offered as an option.
What policies would you support to fight inflation? *
Cut spending and adjust interest rates accordingly but NO tax increases!
What is your position on Transgender issues?
While I am opposed to any group being targeted for hate or violence, I am also opposed to any group being targeted for special treatment or unreasonable accommodations. My personal belief is that there are two genders socially assigned at birth and genetically assigned sometime prior to that. I am willing to be educated on legitimate science that proves otherwise. I will diligently advocate for all U.S. citizens regardless of what they believe.
Would you support the passage of the Human Life Amendment? *
Yes
Would you support the passage of the Balanced Budget Amendment? *
Yes
Do you support D.C. Statehood? *
No
Do you support retrocession of the District of Columbia into Maryland? *
No
Was Joe Biden legitimately elected President of the United States in the November 2020 Election? *
Yes
Do you support another round of federal stimulus payments? *
Yes
Do you support the proposed ban on TikTok? *
No
Do you pledge to accept the results of your election? *
Yes