Carey Baker

Army veteran, small-business owner, and lifelong Central Floridian from Eustis. Enlisted in the Florida Army National Guard at eighteen and served more than thirty-one years, retiring as a First Sergeant; deployed to Iraq in 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Represented Central Florida in the Florida House of Representatives (2000–2006) and the Florida State Senate (2006–2010) with a conservative record on lower taxes, reduced regulation, property rights, public safety, and government accountability. Served as Lake County Property Appraiser (2012–2024). Owns A.W. Peterson Gun Shop, the oldest continuously operating gun store in America, and lives in Eustis with his wife, Lori.