When chiropractor Bob Baker was asked to run as a Republican candidate for Fayette County coroner, he said, “I felt like it was my Christian duty to give back to the community. I decided this is something I could do.”

According to the unofficial tally, Baker is slated to carry out that duty, having defeated Democrat Dr. Phillip E. Reilly, a 40-year veteran of the office.

Baker, 50, is a lifelong resident of South Union Township and has been a chiropractor for more than 25 years. He said he intends to continue treating patients in his private practice while serving as coroner.

He said he hopes to retain the existing staff that has worked in the coroner’s office with Reilly as he makes plans for new initiatives.

That includes developing a team of volunteers to offer support to bereaved families in cases the coroner’s office handles.

“Other people who have lost loved ones and have been there can guide them in the direction of social services,” Baker said.

Baker said he wants to work with other county officials to form a coalition to address the problem of drug overdoses, which claimed 77 lives in Fayette County last year.

“I want to try to reduce those numbers,” he said. “I want to have a big impact in the schools, with early education about overdoses, so that our youth can make educated decisions to avoid these addictive drugs.”

In December, Baker said, he plans to attend a required basic education course for newly elected coroners. He said he has begun to reach out to coroners in surrounding counties to trade notes on best practices.

Anticipating that the job of coroner can be a stressful one, he said, “I want to take these stressful situations and try to turn them into positives.”

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