Will Baker: podcast appearances and interviews

William T. Baker, born January 19, 1965, is an American perennial candidate known for his frequent and unsuccessful bids for public office. Based in Tacoma, Washington, Baker has run for a variety of positions including Pierce County Auditor, Washington state Auditor, United States Senator, Tacoma city council, and mayor of Tacoma. His campaigns have often been motivated by his allegations of institutional corruption within Tacoma municipal and Washington state government. Described as a roadside flower salesman, Baker has a reputation for disrupting public comment periods at the Tacoma city council, often refusing to yield the floor and occasionally refusing to leave jail after arrest. His political efforts have been characterized by a colorful past that includes multiple arrests and controversial statements. In 2004, Baker was nominated by the Washington State Republican Party to run for state auditor after efforts to recruit another candidate failed; however, the party later acknowledged they had not fully vetted his background. Baker received 32 percent of the vote in that election, which he lost. Throughout his multiple campaigns, Baker has voiced concerns over various issues, including alleged cover-ups related to high-profile criminal cases and manipulation of elections. His persistent candidacies underscore his ongoing belief that corruption affects governmental institutions at multiple levels.