Duncan Baird

Duncan Baird (born 1979) is a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from District 96, a position which he has held since 2009. He is employed as a securities trader in Lowell in populous Benton County in northwestern Arkansas. He serves as chairman of the Joint Budget Committee and at the age of thirty-four is the highest ranking House member based on seniority.^[1]

Baird is a candidate in 2014 for the open position of Arkansas state treasurer, an office formerly held by the Democrat Martha Shoffner,^[2] who stepped down in 2013 amid charges of corruption and was replaced by the temporary appointee, Charles W. Robinson.^[3]

As a House member, Baird worked to establish a cooling-off period before a legislator, constitutional officer, or state agency head could become a lobbyist. "My primary focus as State Treasurer will be to restore trust to the office. I want the people of Arkansas to be able to look at the treasurer’s office and have confidence that we’re working on behalf of them to do what’s best for the state," said Baird in a statement of candidacy.^[4]

Baird currently serves as Chairman of the Joint Budget Committee and as a member of the House committees on Revenue & Taxation and State Agencies & Governmental Affairs. Prior to the 2013 legislative session, Baird was named one of the "Top 10 Legislators To Watch" by Talk Business.^[5]

Baird graduated in 1998 from Siloam Springs High School in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and holds a bachelor's degrees in finance and accounting from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He is Baptist and attends Cross Church in Rogers. His wife is Courtney Baird.^[4]

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