KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP)–A student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was elected Nov. 5 to the Missouri House of Representatives.
Republican Brian Baker, a master of arts in Christian education student, narrowly won the 123rd District seat over Democrat Teresa Hensley. Baker received a 52 percent margin, with 6,013 votes while Hensley received 48 percent of the vote.
“My decision to run was my honest attempt to make a difference and to prove that Christians and pastors can run for office and practice what they preach from the pulpit,” Baker said. He is assistant pastor and minister of youth and education for First Baptist Church, Belton, Mo., in south Kansas City.
This is the second race for public office Baker has won. In 2001, he was elected to a two-year term on the Belton City Council. He plans to resign that position. But he will retain his fulltime church staff position while commuting to the state capitol in Jefferson City three and a half days a week. The state legislature is in session January to May.
Baker said he plans to finish his seminary degree requirements in December. Graduation would be in May. He and his wife, Kristen, have two children.
–30–
(BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: BRIAN BAKER.
