{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nChip Baker is a Republican politician serving as the Hamilton County Commissioner for District 2 in Tennessee [1]. He resides in Signal Mountain and has lived in the area for over 30 years [6]. Baker first entered public office in 2018, winning election to the Hamilton County Commission [7]. He previously served on the Hamilton County Board of Education for 12 years, including three years as its chairman [5, 11]. His professional background includes a 20-year career as a hospital administrator and 19 years in event management [11]. Baker holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the College of Wooster and a master's degree in health services administration from George Washington University [5, 6]. He works as a management consultant and serves on the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority board [5, 6].\n\nDuring his tenure, Baker has held significant leadership roles within the commission. In 2022, he was elected chairman of the Hamilton County Commission by a unanimous vote of his colleagues [8]. As District 2 Commissioner, he serves as Chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee and as an Alternate member of the Finance and Budget Committee [1]. He has also been elected multiple times to serve as chairman and vice-chairman during his various terms [5].\n\nIn August 2025, Baker announced his bid for a third term on the commission [4, 5]. He faces Republican challenger Brad Wardlaw in the May 5, 2026, primary election [12]. Baker's campaign priorities include responsible growth, infrastructure development for roads and sewers, and economic development through collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce [6]. His campaign reported approximately $40,000 on hand in early 2026, with donations from figures such as U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and former Chattanooga Mayor Jon Kinsey [6].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nBaker's legislative record includes voting against a version of Plan Hamilton that included amendments requested by the Homebuilders Association, citing opposition from District 2 residents [3, 9]. He voted for County Resolution 325-17, which mandated that decentralized sewage systems be regulated and operated by the Hamilton County Wastewater Authority [3, 9]. Baker also supported the creation of a dedicated Hamilton County Planning Department [3, 9]. In early 2026, he played a key role in separating the Regional Planning Agency from Chattanooga to address specific district needs regarding infrastructure and zoning [6].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Chip Baker, District 2 Commissioner, Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/District2.aspx)\n- [2] [County Commission Committees, Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/CountyCommission_Committees.aspx)\n- [3] [Why I Support Chip Baker For Hamilton County Commission District 2 \u2014 Response \u2014 Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/4/28/517902/Why-I-Support-Chip-Baker-For-Hamilton.aspx)\n- [4] [Chip Baker to seek third term on Hamilton County Commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/aug/25/chip-baker-to-seek-third-term-on-hamilton-county/)\n- [5] [Chip Baker Announces Re-Election Bid For Hamilton County Commission \u2014 Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/8/25/507616/Chip-Baker-Announces-Re-Election-Bid.aspx)\n- [6] [Incumbent Chip Baker stresses infrastructure needs in Hamilton County | Chattanooga Times Free Press](http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/04/incumbent-chip-baker-stresses-infrastructure/)\n- [7] [Chip Baker running for re-election to Hamilton County Commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2021/dec/08/chip-baker-running-re-electihamiltcounty-comm/)\n- [8] [Hamilton County Commission elects new chairman, vice chairman | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2022/sep/07/hamilton-county-commission-elects-baker-chair/)\n- [9] [Why I Support Chip Baker For Hamilton County Commission District 2 \u2014 Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/4/24/517902/Why-I-Support-Chip-Baker-For-Hamilton.aspx)\n- [10] [Chattanooga Free Press endorses Chip Baker in Hamilton County Commission District 2 | Chattanooga Times Free Press](http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/11/opinion-chattanooga-free-press-endorses-chip/)\n- [11] [Voter guide: Chip Baker, Hamilton County Commission District 2 | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://projects.timesfreepress.com/2018/07/voterguide/HCComm2ChipBaker.html)\n- [12] [Republican Brad Wardlaw running against Hamilton County Commissioner Chip Baker | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/mar/25/republican-brad-wardlaw-running-against-hamilton/)\n","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_2","county":"Hamilton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"County Commission District 2"}],"cf_filings":[{"county":"hamilton","displayname":"Baker, Chip","documents":[{"datesubmitted":"04/29/26","documentid":"41235099-931B-4886-B8F8-715A98BB7376","documentname":"Amended 1st Qtr 2026","documentnameid":["41235099-931B-4886-B8F8-715A98BB7376","Amended 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2","source_customer_id":"0F5A08EE-617A-4B11-AD30-E963AE98E120","source_filer_id":"de11b69b37d84c81bea9ff0a3d1be542","source_system":"easyvote","state":"TN","status":"Active"}],"firstname":"Chip","fullname":"Chip Baker","lastname":"Baker","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_2","contest_title":"County Commission District 2","county":"Hamilton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"hamilton","office_key":"county_commission_district_2","office_title":"County Commission District 2","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":"hamilton","cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"county_commission_district_2","contest_title":"County Commission District 2","county":"Hamilton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"hamilton","office_key":"county_commission_district_2","office_title":"County Commission District 2","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026},{"general":null,"party":null,"primary":null,"term":{"county":"hamilton","electiondate":"2022-08-04","office_county":"hamilton","office_key":"county_commission_district_2","office_title":"County Commission District 2","party":null,"state":"TN","term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01"},"year":2022}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_2","office_title":"County Commission District 2","state":"TN","terms":[{"county":"hamilton","electiondate":"2022-08-04","office_county":"hamilton","office_key":"county_commission_district_2","office_title":"County Commission District 2","party":null,"state":"TN","term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01"}]}],"summary":"Chip Baker is a Republican incumbent serving his second term as Hamilton County Commissioner for District 2, seeking re-election against Brad Wardlaw in the May 2026 primary.","terms":[{"county":"hamilton","electiondate":"2022-08-04","office":"county_commission_district_2","state":"TN","term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01","title":"County Commission District 2"}],"token":"YRnYuxeV3K"}