[2] Baker entered provincial politics in 1998, defeating Liberal incumbent Lila O'Connor by 132 votes in the Lunenburg riding.
[6] In August 1999, Baker was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
[12] In May 2006, Baker underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor,[13] but still ran for re-election in June 2006, winning his seat by 1300 votes.
[14] Following the election, Baker retained his cabinet positions,[15] and continued to serve despite facing more serious health issues.
[16] As of January 2009, Baker was still planning on reoffering in the next election, but his condition worsened and he stepped down from cabinet in February.