James Richard Baird[3] (born June 4, 1945)[4] is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Indiana's 4th congressional district since 2019.

The truck companies of the 8th Transportation Group delivered cargo along the most heavily ambushed road in Vietnam, QL19, through the Central Highlands in the northern II Corps Tactical Zone.

The Group Commander selected the 523rd as one of the two light truck companies to be deployed north to I Corps Tactical Zone for the upcoming Laotian Incursion, Operation Lam Son 719, in February through April 1971.

He previously worked as an animal nutritionist at Landmark Cooperative, a feed manufacturer, and as director of sales and nutrition at Agmax.

In December 2020, Baird was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated[21] incumbent Donald Trump.

The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.

[22][23][24] Baird is one of three deployed Vietnam War veterans currently serving in the House, the others being Jack Bergman and Mike Thompson.

[25][26] Baird was ranked the Republican Member of Congress with highest turnover of 2023—second most over all in the House—per LegiStorm's Worst Bosses Index, at three times the House average.

[27][28] The PACT ACT which expanded VA benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service, received a "nay" from Baird.

[31] For the 118th Congress:[32] Baird is married to Danise née Swain, a registered nurse who graduated from Purdue University in 1968.