December 21, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pat Bainter
(352) 538-5778

Carey Baker launches campaign for Lake County Property Appraiser
Eustis Republican endorsed by area property appraisers and Lake County legislators

Conservative businessman, National Guard veteran and former Florida State Senator Carey Baker (R-Eustis) announced that he will be a candidate for Lake County Property Appraiser in the 2012 elections.

“I look forward to reaching out to Lake County taxpayers and homeowners over the next eleven months as I seek to modernize and overhaul the Property Appraiser’s office,” Senator Baker said. “I’ve stood up for smaller, more efficient government and lower taxes throughout my life in public service, and I hope to gain another chance to put those principles to work at the local level.”

While representing Lake County in the Florida Legislature, Senator Baker supported comprehensive property tax relief for Florida homeowners, and was named “Senator of the Year” by the Florida Association of Property Appraisers for drafting legislation streamlining appraisers’ offices, saving taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in counties across Florida.

Senator Baker announced endorsements from several members of Lake County’s delegation in the Florida Legislature, including:

• Senator Alan Hays (R-Umatilla)
• Representative Larry Metz (R-Yalaha)
• Representative Marlene O’Toole (R-Lady Lake)
• Representative Steve Precourt (R-Orlando)
• Representative Charles Van Zant (R-Keystone Heights)

Additionally, Senator Baker has been endorsed by the Property Appraisers of four of Lake’s surrounding counties, among others:

• Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan, Pres-elect FAPA
• Seminole County Property Appraiser David Johnson, Past Pres-FAPA
• Volusia County Property Appraiser Morgan Gilreath, Past Pres-FAPA
• Polk County Property Appraiser Martha Faux , Past Pres-FAPA
• St. Lucie County Property Appraiser Ken Pruitt
• Duval County Property Appraiser Jim Overton, Past Pres-FAPA

Senator Baker will kick off his campaign with events throughout Lake County over the next two weeks.

Carey Baker is the co-owner of the A.W. Peterson Gun Shop in Mount Dora, the oldest continuously operating gun shop in America. A veteran of Florida’s Army National Guard since 1981, First Sergeant Baker served a tour of duty in Iraq while representing Lake County in the Florida House of Representatives. Baker served in the state house from 2000-2004, and in the Florida Senate from 2004-2010. He and his wife Lori live in Eustis with their three children.

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