 In 2008 Baker aspired to higher office, running for U.S. Congress in Missouri's 9th Congressional District to replace Kenny Hulshof.After beating three fellow Democrats in the August primary Baker lost a close November general election to Republican and fellow State Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer.Following the defeat Baker returned to the private sector and teaching at Columbia College until November, 2009 when she was appointed the regional HHS director by Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.