{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Chip Baker","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"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","firstname":"Chip","lastname":"Baker","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"YRnYuxeV3K"},"token":"chip_baker"},{"candidatename":"Brad Wardlaw","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"Brad Wardlaw is a Republican candidate running for Hamilton County Commission District 2 in the May 5, 2026 primary election [3]. He is challenging incumbent Commissioner Chip Baker [7]. The District 2 seat covers Signal Mountain, Walden, and areas extending to Mowbray Mountain [10].\n\nWardlaw, 45, is a lifelong Hamilton County resident who grew up in Hixson and attended Red Bank High School [9]. He holds bachelor's degrees in business administration and human resource management from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga [7]. Professionally, he works as a licensed real estate agent and small business owner leading property management, construction, and excavation operations [9]. He manages approximately a dozen rental properties in the county and performs renovation work [7].\n\nWardlaw resides with his wife, Brooke, and their two children, Carter and Camilla, near the Falling Water area in unincorporated Hamilton County [7]. His wife is a Signal Mountain native [9]. Wardlaw has lived in District 2 for over a decade [9]. He is active in community service, having coached with the North River Soccer Association and the lower school team at Chattanooga Christian School [9]. He has also volunteered with Junior Achievement at CCS to teach business and economics [9] and serves on the committee for Northside Neighborhood House\u2019s Not So Silent Auction [9].\n\nWardlaw announced his campaign in February 2026, citing a need for proactive leadership over reactive decision-making regarding growth and infrastructure [7]. His stated priorities include addressing infrastructure deficits, supporting underfunded volunteer fire departments, and creating a comprehensive plan for school facilities to manage overcrowding [7]. He also advocates for senior tax relief, ranging from tax freezes to full elimination, and aims to recruit new employers to strengthen the local economy [9]. Wardlaw criticizes the current administration for allowing high-density development without adequate planning and promises to be more accessible and visible to residents than his predecessor [9].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n- [2] [Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2026)\n- [3] [sample ballot](https://elect.hamiltontn.gov/Portals/12/HTML/RepSample.html)\n- [4] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [5] [Elections Calendar | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/calendar)\n- [6] [2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Tennessee_gubernatorial_election)\n- [7] [Commission challenger Brad Wardlaw wants to help Hamilton County manage growth proactively | Chattanooga Times Free Press](http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/04/commission-challenger-brad-wardlaw-wants-to-help/)\n- [9] [Brad Wardlaw Announces Campaign For Hamilton County Commission District 2 Republican Primary - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/2/27/515367/Brad-Wardlaw-Announces-Campaign-For.aspx)\n- [10] [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- [11] [Brad Wardlaw says he's running for a seat on the Hamilton ...](https://www.facebook.com/timesfreepress/posts/brad-wardlaw-says-hes-running-for-a-seat-on-the-hamilton-county-commission-to-br/1382916477204191/)\n- [12] [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/)","firstname":"Brad","lastname":"Wardlaw","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"Bpjvw1MWFn"},"token":"brad_wardlaw"},{"candidatename":"Amanda Sovago-Royal","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"Amanda Sovago-Royal is a Democrat running for Hamilton County Commission District 2 in the August 6, 2026 primary [7]. She represents the westernmost parts of the county, including Signal Mountain, Walden, and Fairmount [7]. Sovago-Royal is 38 years old and has lived in Chattanooga since she was a toddler, currently residing at the foot of Signal Mountain [7].\n\nProfessionally, Sovago-Royal is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Men\u2019s Massage Specialist based in Chattanooga [6]. She opened her own business after graduating from Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Chattanooga State Community College (ChattState) in April 2024 [6]. Her specialization in men's health was influenced by her father's death from an unexpected medical complication, leading her to focus on stress and self-care for men [6]. She operates a practice located at 4513 Hixson Pike #107 in Hixson, TN [9].\n\nSovago-Royal\u2019s educational background includes recognition as the 2024 Technical College Student of the Year by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) [6]. She was selected from across the College System of Tennessee based on an essay submission and a three-part interview process [6]. During her time at ChattState, she served as a Tennessee SkillsUSA State Officer [6]. Along with teammates, she won gold medals in the Opening and Ceremonies competition at both the statewide and national SkillsUSA competitions in 2024 [6].\n\nIn her campaign for County Commission District 2, Sovago-Royal has stated a desire to see a woman sit on the commission [5]. Her platform emphasizes government transparency and accessibility. She advocates for livestreaming smaller board and committee meetings and creating a condensed calendar for public notices [5]. As someone who designs websites, she has criticized the county\u2019s current webpages as difficult to navigate and noted that meeting agendas often lack sufficient detail about discussion items [5]. She argues that these changes would make government more accessible in the digital age [5].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n- [2] [Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_gubernatorial_election,_2026)\n- [3] [Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2026 (August 6 Republican primary) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_gubernatorial_election,_2026_(August_6_Republican_primary))\n- [4] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [5] [Amanda Sovago-Royal wants a woman to sit on the ...](https://www.facebook.com/timesfreepress/posts/amanda-sovago-royal-wants-a-woman-to-sit-on-the-hamilton-county-commission-so-sh/1333535038809002/)\n- [6] [ChattState's Amanda Sovago-Royal Wins Prestigious Statewide Award | Chattanooga State Community College](https://www.chattanoogastate.edu/news-center/student-success/chattstates-amanda-sovago-royal-wins-prestigious-statewide-award)\n- [7] [Democrat newcomer running for Baker\u2019s seat on Hamilton County Commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/26/democrat-newcomer-running-for-bakers-seat-on/)\n- [9] [Amanda Sovago-Royal, Men's Massage Therapist](https://www.fresha.com/lvp/amanda-sovago-royal-mens-massage-therapist-hixson-pike-chattanooga-wX7Axq)\n- [10] [Celebrate for Amanda Sovago-Royal & Pete Prosser - Target Wedding Registry](https://www.myregistry.com/ext/wedding-registry/amanda-sovago-royal-pete-prosser-chattanooga-tn/10453066)","firstname":"Amanda","lastname":"Sovago-Royal","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"ObHt7BEpRo"},"token":"amanda_sovago_royal"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"2","districtgroup":"county_commission","districtgroupname":"County Commission","districtname":"District 2","job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":"county_commission_district_2","office":"county_commission_district_2","officedescription":"A county commissioner is a member of the county's legislative body. The commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, authorizes borrowing, and passes county resolutions and ordinances. Commissioners are elected from districts (or at-large seats) to represent constituents on countywide policy.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on countywide matters \u2014 budget, taxes, land use, services, intergovernmental \u2014 within Tennessee county-government law and the Shelby County Charter.\n- Budget literacy: the 13-member commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, and authorizes bond issues that span decades.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on resolutions and ordinances; chairing or sitting on committees that pre-screen items.\n- Constituent relations in a single-member district of roughly 70,000 residents \u2014 case-work and community issues flow through the commissioner's office.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required seven hours of annual continuing education through UT CTAS.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Commission District 2","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":null,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"County Commission District 2"}