Congressman Brian Baird

Congressman Brian Baird brings a unique perspective to the U.S. House of Representatives as a licensed clinical psychologist who has practiced in Washington state and Oregon. Brian also taught at the university level and is a former chairman of the Department of Psychology at Pacific Lutheran University. Prior to his election, Brian worked in state and Veterans Administration psychiatric hospitals, community mental health clinics, substance abuse treatment programs, institutions for juvenile offenders and head injury rehabilitation programs.

Brian was elected to serve the people of Washington State's Third Congressional District in 1998. He currently serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he serves on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, and the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. Baird is also a member of the Science and Budget committees.

Through his work on these committees, Brian helps secure critical funding for Southwest Washington’s infrastructure, environment and educational needs. His work on the Budget Committee grants him top-level access to fiscal policy decision making while working to create the federal budget resolutions that govern spending throughout the nation.

Congressman Baird was elected President of his 1998 Freshman Democratic Class. He currently serves as a Senior Democratic Whip and on the Democratic Steering Committee. These positions afford him significant access to the House leadership and allow him to be a strong advocate for the needs of Southwest Washington in debates and behind the scenes.

Brian is deeply committed to working to make lives better in Southwest Washington and to provide excellent service to the constituents of the Third District. During his time in Congress, he has flown home nearly every weekend and has hosted well over 200 town hall meetings and visited every high school, port, hospital and countless businesses and organizations in Southwest Washington.

Dr. Baird received his B.S. from the University of Utah, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1977. He continued on to the University of Wyoming, receiving his M.S. and PhD in clinical psychology. He has published a number of journal articles and has authored two books: The Internship and Practicum Handbook and Are We Having Fun Yet?, which combines his love of the outdoors with practical psychological advice for couples and families involved in skiing, hiking or other outdoor pursuits.

Baird currently resides in Vancouver and is married to Rachel Nugent, an economist with the Population Reference Bureau. Together they enjoy traveling and outdoor pursuits, including sea kayaking, climbing, scuba diving, skiing and cycling.