Candidate Profile: Kendall Baker For Houston ISD Position 6

Editor's note: Some responses have been edited for clarity.

HOUSTON, TX — Harris County voters will soon make their decision on local races in the Nov. 2 election.

Kendall Baker, who is running for Houston ISD Board of Trustees Position 6, shared with Patch why he should be elected to represent the Houston ISD community.

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Profile: Kendall Baker

Age (as of Election Day): 56

Position Sought

Houston ISD Board Position 6

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

6-year-old daughter

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Doctorate of Divinity Degree

Occupation

Pastor of Christ Solid International Church
Semi-Retired; 29 years management and community relations with the City of Houston and Houston Ministers Against Crime

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

bakerforhouston.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

My community wants change in leadership.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The Texas Education Agency takeover. Being elected may affect it being halted in my opinion because the current Position 6 Trustee [Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca] is involved with the investigation.

Editor's check: Vilaseca was one of five trustees found to have met in a "walking quorum" at a local restaurant to discuss the replacement of interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan with former Superintendent Abe Saavedra in 2018, according to the TEA investigation.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have the most public service experience.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

By conducting an illegal meeting, not being transparent, not involving parents enough and not being present.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Poorly. I would have made sure students that attended virtually were more adequately trained on how to use the equipment. I would have listened more and addressed the current outrage on mask mandates.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Better pay for teachers, expand career and technology, transparency, etc.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

25 years of volunteering in HISD with Houston Ministers Against Crime.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never give up.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’ve lived in the district for 35 years, and I was born for public service. I have a passion for helping children and parents overcome challenges with government entities.