David Baria first came into politics in 2007 after unseating a 16-year incumbent state senator in a district that heavily leans Republican. Previously, he’d worked as an attorney in both Jackson and Bay St. Louis. 

In 2016, after becoming a representative in 2012, Baria became the House Democratic leader, which he said helped him learn to reach across the aisle to strike deals with Republican members.

“I’ve built really good relationships with Republicans because you have to have Republicans to get anything done,” Baria said. “We were able to successfully defeated (the latest school funding) bill in the senate… We talked to Democratic and Republican colleagues and presented them with specific numbers, saying ‘This is how you fare if you pass this.’ “

Baria said he built a level of trust over time with Republicans and learned lessons that would aid him in the U.S. Senate.

“A U.S. Senator can’t put a corn chip plant in the Delta, but a businessman can do that,” Baria said. “In the senate… sometimes you might have to watch someone else put their name on it to pass the bill. You have to be willing not to take that credit for yourself.”

As for addressing conflicts with President Donald Trump, Baria said that the conversation had to change and that Mississippians would appreciate someone who stood up to Trump for the best interests of Mississippians.

“It’s hard to tell people the truth and persuade them gently that perhaps those policies aren’t in your best interest,” Baria said about taking a new approach to Trump. “Even on his best days he’s vulgar. I had to explain to my nine year old what a porn star is… no father should have to explain to a nine year old what a porn star is because the president is entangled with one.”

Baria stressed that his district voted for both Gov. Phil Bryant and Trump but still selected him as a leader, saying that when it comes to the office, “I don’t ask if you’re white or black, a man or a woman, Democrat or Republican.”

“I represent the interests of the working class families in Mississippi, wherever they may be,” Baria said. “I take care of all of my constituents.”