Thurbert Baker
Encyclopedia
Thurbert E. Baker was the Attorney General
of the U.S.
state of Georgia
, serving from 1997, when he was appointed by Governor Zell Miller
. until January 10, 2011.
Baker was elected to his position three times as a Democrat
, most recently winning the 2006
general election against Republican
Perry McGuire, a former State Senator and corporate counsel for Chick-fil-A
, 57.2% to 42.8%. Baker carried 122 of Georgia's 159 counties, and he received more votes and a higher percentage than any other Georgia Democrat running statewide in 2006.
(1989 to 1997), and from 1993 until his appointment as Attorney General, he was the Miller Administration's House Floor Leader. During his legislative tenure, Baker sponsored several pieces of significant legislation, including the HOPE Scholarship
and the "Two Strikes and You're Out" law that puts the worst repeat violent felons in prison for life without parole.
from 2006 to 2007. As Attorney General, Baker has focused on initiatives to fight crime and fraud, including stronger laws against sexual predators who use the Internet to target children, a new law against financial identity theft, and stronger laws against residential mortgage fraud. He has also advocated for the abolition of parole for persons convicted of violent crimes, which the Georgia General Assembly
has not enacted.
In 2003, Baker and Governor Sonny Perdue
clashed in court, with both claiming the right to control the state's legal affairs. The controversy arose when Perdue ordered Baker to drop an appeal of a case involving a legal challenge to a legislative redistricting map drawn by a Democratic legislative majority and signed into law by Perdue's Democratic predecessor, Roy Barnes
. When Baker refused to drop the appeal, Perdue sued him. The Supreme Court of Georgia ultimately sided with Baker, ruling 5-2 that the Attorney General, as an elected constitutional officer, is independent of the Governor and has the power to control the state government's legal affairs.
In 2010, Perdue and Baker clashed again when Perdue asked Baker to sue the federal government over the passage of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
. Baker declined, arguing that he saw no legal basis for the suit, believed it will ultimately fail, and decrying it as a "frivilous waste of taxpayer money". In response, Perdue appointed a "special" Attorney General for that purpose. Some Republican state lawmakers have subsequently introduced legislation to impeach Baker for his refusal.
. He was defeated in the Democratic primary on July 20, 2010 by former Gov. Roy Barnes
.
in 1952. He grew up there with Mike Easley
, the former Governor
and former Attorney General
of North Carolina
, Roy Cooper
, the current Attorney General
of North Carolina
, and Gregory O. Griffin, the current Chief Legal Counsel for the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. While attending the University of North Carolina
, Baker was on the fencing
team, and won the 1975 Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC) individual sabre
championship. In 2002, the ACC recognized him as one of the best fencers in its history, naming him to its 50th anniversary fencing
team.
Baker and his wife, Catherine, an educator, reside in the Atlanta suburb of Stone Mountain
. They have two daughters. He is a practicing Baptist
and a member of Omega Psi Phi
fraternity.
State Attorney General
The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...
of the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, serving from 1997, when he was appointed by Governor Zell Miller
Zell Miller
Zell Bryan Miller is an American politician from the US state of Georgia. A Democrat, Miller served as Lieutenant Governor from 1975 to 1991, 79th Governor of Georgia from 1991 to 1999, and as United States Senator from 2000 to 2005....
. until January 10, 2011.
Baker was elected to his position three times as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, most recently winning the 2006
Georgia statewide elections, 2006
The Georgia statewide elections were held on November 7, 2006. The primary election was held on July 18. Contests in which no single candidate received a majority of the vote were decided in a runoff election on August 8....
general election against Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Perry McGuire, a former State Senator and corporate counsel for Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A |"fillet"]]) is a quick service restaurant chain headquartered in College Park, Georgia, United States, specializing in chicken entrées and is known for promoting the company founder's claims of Christian values. Long associated with the southern United States, where it has been a...
, 57.2% to 42.8%. Baker carried 122 of Georgia's 159 counties, and he received more votes and a higher percentage than any other Georgia Democrat running statewide in 2006.
Legislature
Baker served in the Georgia House of RepresentativesGeorgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
(1989 to 1997), and from 1993 until his appointment as Attorney General, he was the Miller Administration's House Floor Leader. During his legislative tenure, Baker sponsored several pieces of significant legislation, including the HOPE Scholarship
HOPE Scholarship
The HOPE Scholarship Program created in 1993 under the supervision of Georgia Governor Zell Miller, is a merit-based higher education scholarship that is funded entirely by revenue from the Georgia Lottery and is administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission...
and the "Two Strikes and You're Out" law that puts the worst repeat violent felons in prison for life without parole.
Attorney general
Baker served as the President of the National Association of Attorneys GeneralNational Association of Attorneys General
The National Association of Attorneys General is an organization of 56 state and territorial attorneys general in the United States...
from 2006 to 2007. As Attorney General, Baker has focused on initiatives to fight crime and fraud, including stronger laws against sexual predators who use the Internet to target children, a new law against financial identity theft, and stronger laws against residential mortgage fraud. He has also advocated for the abolition of parole for persons convicted of violent crimes, which the Georgia General Assembly
Georgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
has not enacted.
In 2003, Baker and Governor Sonny Perdue
Sonny Perdue
George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III, was the 81st Governor of Georgia. Upon his inauguration in January 2003, he became the first Republican governor of Georgia since Benjamin F. Conley served during Reconstruction in the 1870s....
clashed in court, with both claiming the right to control the state's legal affairs. The controversy arose when Perdue ordered Baker to drop an appeal of a case involving a legal challenge to a legislative redistricting map drawn by a Democratic legislative majority and signed into law by Perdue's Democratic predecessor, Roy Barnes
Roy Barnes
Roy Eugene Barnes served as the 80th Governor of Georgia from January 1999 until January 2003. Barnes was also a candidate for Governor of Georgia in the 2010 election....
. When Baker refused to drop the appeal, Perdue sued him. The Supreme Court of Georgia ultimately sided with Baker, ruling 5-2 that the Attorney General, as an elected constitutional officer, is independent of the Governor and has the power to control the state government's legal affairs.
In 2010, Perdue and Baker clashed again when Perdue asked Baker to sue the federal government over the passage of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
. Baker declined, arguing that he saw no legal basis for the suit, believed it will ultimately fail, and decrying it as a "frivilous waste of taxpayer money". In response, Perdue appointed a "special" Attorney General for that purpose. Some Republican state lawmakers have subsequently introduced legislation to impeach Baker for his refusal.
2010 Campaign
Baker filed paperwork in 2009 to become a candidate in the 2010 Georgia gubernatorial electionGeorgia gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Republican Governor Sonny Perdue was term-limited and unable to seek re-election. Primary elections for the Republican and Democratic parties took place on July 20, with a Republican runoff on August 10. The...
. He was defeated in the Democratic primary on July 20, 2010 by former Gov. Roy Barnes
Roy Barnes
Roy Eugene Barnes served as the 80th Governor of Georgia from January 1999 until January 2003. Barnes was also a candidate for Governor of Georgia in the 2010 election....
.
Education
- J.D.Juris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
, Emory University School of LawEmory University School of LawEmory University School of Law is a first-tier US law school that is part of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It is ranked #30 among ABA-approved law schools by the 2012 U.S. News & World Report...
, 1979 - Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of ArtsA Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, 1975
Personal
Baker, who has lived in Georgia since moving to the state to practice law in the 1970s, was born in Rocky Mount, North CarolinaRocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount is an All-America City Award-winning city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plains of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of...
in 1952. He grew up there with Mike Easley
Mike Easley
Michael Francis "Mike" Easley is an American politician who served as the 72nd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina, from 2001 to 2009. He is member of the North Carolina Democratic Party and became the first North Carolina governor to admit to a felony in a deal that halted a lengthy...
, the former Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
and former Attorney General
State Attorney General
The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...
of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, Roy Cooper
Roy A. Cooper
Roy Asberry Cooper, III is the current North Carolina Attorney General. He is a member of the North Carolina Democratic Party.-Personal life and education:...
, the current Attorney General
State Attorney General
The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...
of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, and Gregory O. Griffin, the current Chief Legal Counsel for the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. While attending the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, Baker was on the fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
team, and won the 1975 Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC) individual sabre
Sabre
The sabre or saber is a kind of backsword that usually has a curved, single-edged blade and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger...
championship. In 2002, the ACC recognized him as one of the best fencers in its history, naming him to its 50th anniversary fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
team.
Baker and his wife, Catherine, an educator, reside in the Atlanta suburb of Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain is a quartz monzonite dome monadnock in Stone Mountain, Georgia, United States. At its summit, the elevation is 1,686 feet amsl and 825 feet above the surrounding area. Stone Mountain granite extends underground at its longest point into Gwinnett County...
. They have two daughters. He is a practicing Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
and a member of Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi is a fraternity and is the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black college. Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. The founders were three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos...
fraternity.