Tom Baker
Democrat | Texas
Candidate Profile*
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, No degree, 1976-1976
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, B.J., B.A., 1977-1980
University of Houston, Houston, Texas, J.D., 1980-1983
WORK & MILITARY
United States Army, Specialist, E-4, 1974-1976
Undergraduate Library, University of Texas, Librarian, 1978-1980
The Daily Texan, University of Texas, Managing Editor, Reporter, Copy Editor, 1978-1980
United States Naval Reserve, Judge Advocate General's Corps, Lieutenant, 1984-1991
Thomas J. Baker, Attorney at Law, Sole Proprietor, 1991-2015
Baker & Tisdale, Attorneys at Law, Owner, Partner, 2015-2018
State of Texas, Third Court of Appeals, Austin, TX, Justice, 2019-2024
AFFILIATIONS
State Bar of Texas, Member, 1984-2026
Bell County Bar Association, Member, 1994-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Justice, Place 5, Third Court of Appeals, Austin, Texas, 2019-2024
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS*
LIBERAL (5)
McKinney Area Democratic Club MADC
Tarrant County Democratic Party
Liberal Austin Democrats
*Bay Area Democratic Movement
*Panhandle Democrats
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (20)
Brian E. Harrison (2025)
Don Huffines (2022)
Tan Parker (2022)
Carrie Isaac (2021)
Craig Goldman (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (18)
Ann Johnson (2026)
Progress Texas (2026)
Local, County, District Democratic Organizations (2025)
Erin Shank (2024)
Maria Luisa "Lulu" Flores (2023)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Was Dobbs v. Jackson rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: In Dobbs, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the federal constitution does not confer a right to abortion.)
This is a difficult and complicated area involving a woman's right to make fundamental and personal medical decisions The view of this case and The Constitution depends upon one's interpretation of The Constitution. Dobbs was decided incorrectly if we value the principle of legal precedent or stare decisis. I believe that past precedent should be accorded deference even if the original Roe v. Wade was decided not in accordance with a person's view of The Constitution. The fact that the word, "abortion," does not appear in The Constitution does not settle the matter.
Does the federal Constitution support the right to physician assisted suicide? Please explain in light of Washington v. Glucksberg (1997).
Did not answer
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Neutral
My personal view is that I with my wife have a duty from conception to natural death in conformity with our own religious beliefs to protect each of our children at all times and provide them every benefit of knowledge and wisdom of parenthood that I can. In my role as a Justice, I am duty-bound by an oath to obey The Constitution and laws of state and federal government. I believe we are each must rely on our God-given wisdom and judgment to exercise free will as God guides us.
How do you view the judiciary’s role in matters of abortion regulation following Dobbs?
A judge in an intermediate civil court (which is the office that I am seeking) plainly and simply must follow the existing law. In the wake of Dobbs, the existing law is that each state can enact its own law pertaining to abortion subject to its state constitution. It is for the Legislature subject to the state's governor's veto power or power to sign bills into law to write the law of each state. All of those representatives must answer to the voters for their political decisions.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Do you believe religious liberty is at risk in the United States. If so, what is the judiciary's proper role in addressing this issue?
I do not believe religious liberty is at risk in the United States. Each and every person has the absolute right to practice his or her religious beliefs as that person so wishes. Religious liberty becomes at risk however when any religion becomes the target of crimes and terrorism. Presently, such crimes appear to be inordinately targeted at the Jewish faith and the Islamic faith, NOT the Christian faith which is the predominant religion in the United States.
Does the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment require government to be strictly secular or does it allow for the nation's religious heritage?
The First Amendment respects the right of each American to practice his or her own religious beliefs or to practice to no religious beliefs freely and without
Was Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: The U.S. Supreme Court held tha the state may not show religious hostility when enforcing anti-discrimination laws against a business owner.)
Did not answer
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised in the Catholic faith principally by our mother but also by our father, and I have received the sacraments in our church, except the sacrament of priesthood. I believe in God, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity. However, I respect and honor all other faiths and religions. I never seek to impose my own faith on anybody else, but I try to practice my faith as I understand Christ taught us. I believe too many Christians do not practice their faith as Christ taught us to live it.
What is your understanding of parental rights under the Constitution regarding the upbringing of children, particularly regarding choices about education and sexual identity?
I believe The Constitution gives each parent the right to raise his or her own child free from interference so long as that parent is acting in the objective best interests of their child.
Is gender identity a protected class under the Constitution? Please explain the constitutional basis for your view.
I believe that the State has no place in the issues of a child's gender unless the child is being subjected to child abuse.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
I have never been convicted or charged with a felony offense.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
I have never been accused of or penalized for any sexual misconduct in civil or criminal court.
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2016 Republican Primary 2016 General Election 2018 Democratic Primary 2020 Democratic Primary 2020 General Election 2022 Democratic Primary 2022 General Election 2024 Democratic Primary 2024 General Election
In local elections, we have largely had only local choices in Republican primaries, and I have voted in that primary to have a voice in local offices for which we did not have Democratic Party choices. From 2018 forward, I was elected as a Democrat and by law was required to vote in the Democratic Party Primary.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Describe your judicial philosophy.
My judicial philosophy
Do you believe judges should primarily apply the law according to its original public meaning, or do you believe the law evolves over time to reflect contemporary values?
Although you have not asked in the way that I choose to answer, I believe that the Courts should follow the principle of stare decisis and respect legal precedent. The law does not evolve per se, but our world and country have evolved. The Constitution did not envision the kind of weapons of mass destruction that now exist.
Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
Did not answer
Was Obergefell v. Hodges rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: The U.S. Supreme Court held Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses create a right for same-sex couples to marry.)
Obergefell v. Hodges was correctly decided in terms of the Equal Protection Clause. Marriage is not mentioned in The Constitution.
A. How should a judge approach a case where the constitutional or statutory text is clear on its face? B. Conversely, how should a judge proceed when the text is ambiguous or silent on a disputed issue?
Did not answer
What is your view of judicial restraint versus judicial activism? How do you define each?
Did not answer
What is the proper role of a judge?
Did not answer
When applying or interpreting the text of a statute or constitutional provision, is it ever proper for a judge to consider present day public opinion or consequences?
Did not answer
If precedent departs from the Constitution’s text or original meaning, should a judge follow it or correct the error? Please explain.
Did not answer
2ND AMENDMENT
What is your understanding of the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms?
Did not answer
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Which branch of government do you believe was intended to wield the most authority?
Did not answer
If you are not already receiving our updates, stay current with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.
Invest in America’s Future
Join the movement to restore biblical values and constitutional principles in our nation by informing and mobilizing more faith-based voters with the truth.
