Joe Baca
Joseph Natalio Baca Sr. (born January 23, 1947) is an American Democratic politician who served as the U.S. representative for southwestern San Bernardino County (including Fontana, Rialto, Ontario and parts of the city of San Bernardino) from 1999 to 2013.
Joe Baca | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California | |
| In office November 16, 1999 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | George Brown Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Gloria Negrete McLeod |
| Constituency | 42nd district (1999–2003) 43rd district (2003–2013) |
| Member of the California Senate from the 32nd district | |
| In office December 7, 1998 – November 16, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Ruben Ayala |
| Succeeded by | Nell Soto |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 62nd district | |
| In office December 7, 1992 – November 30, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | William H. Lancaster |
| Succeeded by | John Longville |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Natalio Baca January 23, 1947 Belen, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 2015, 2018–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Republican (2015–2016) Independent (2016–2018) |
| Spouse | Barbara Baca |
| Children | 4, including Joe |
| Relatives | Baca family |
| Education | Barstow Community College California State University, Los Angeles (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1966–1968 |
| Rank | Specialist 4 |
| Unit | 101st Airborne Division |
In June 2015, Baca switched his affiliation to the Republican Party, citing his "core Christian" and pro-business beliefs. In January 2018, Baca switched his affiliation back to the Democratic Party, saying that "in my heart, I've always been a Democrat with a 100 percent voting record for labor."
Prior to his time in the House of Representatives, Baca served in the California Senate from 1998 to 1999, and the California State Assembly from 1992 to 1998.
He currently serves on the Rialto City Council.