{"county":"hamilton","description":null,"district":"2","districtgroup":"county_commission","id":597,"key":"county_commission_district_2","lastchangeby":null,"name":"Chip Baker","next_election":null,"notes":null,"officegroup":null,"partisan":0,"party":null,"qualities":"- 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.","quantity":1,"source":null,"state":"TN","term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01","term_years":4,"terms":[{"current":1,"description":null,"electiondate":"2022-08-04","name":"Chip Baker","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","token":"YRnYuxeV3K"},"term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01"}],"title":"County Commission District 2","type":"legislative","url":null,"whenchanged":"2026-04-26 19:41:41"}