Dave Baker is a Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 16B in west-central Minnesota, including the city of Willmar and parts of Kandiyohi County. Born on March 27, 1962, in Hamel, Minnesota, he has served since 2015, defeating incumbent Mary Sawatzky in 2014 and winning reelection every two years since. A small-business owner, Baker has operated restaurants, hotels, and businesses like Green Lake Cruises and a Super 8 motel in the region. Notable positions include assistant minority leader since 2021 , minority lead on the Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committee, and service on Human Services Finance and Policy Committees; he has also focused on mental health, substance use disorder issues, nursing homes, and regulations.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Attended Aitkin High School and studied sales and management at St. Cloud Area Vocational Technical Institute .
• Political Experience: Elected in 2014 ; current committees include Co-Chair of Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy, Energy Finance and Policy, and Ways and Means.