Troy Mayor Ethan Baker Launches Republican Campaign for Congress, Raising Questions About City Leadership Continuity

Troy Mayor Ethan Baker is asking voters to send him to Congress while he remains responsible for leading City Hall, raising an immediate question for residents: How will the city be led during his campaign, and who will take over if he wins?

Baker is running as a Republican for Michigan's 11th Congressional District seat, which Rep. Haley Stevens is leaving to run for U.S. Senate. He is currently the only Republican candidate on the ballot after another GOP candidate was disqualified.

His mayoral term extends through November 2027, meaning he will serve as mayor through the Aug. 4, 2026, primary, the Nov. 3, 2026, general election and potentially beyond if he wins and takes the congressional oath on Jan. 3, 2027. Baker has said he intends to complete his mayoral term in November 2027 if he is not elected to Congress; if he wins, he would leave office early.

"Cities are always best evolving with new leadership," Ethan Baker, Troy mayor, said.

Campaign demands will overlap with city business

A congressional campaign for Michigan's 11th District requires district-wide fundraising, candidate forums, debates and voter outreach from July through the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, spanning communities across Oakland County.

The Democratic primary field includes four candidates: state Sen. Jeremy Moss, attorney Aisha Farooqi, John Paul Torres and former engineer Don Ufford, meaning the general election race will likely be competitive.

Troy's mayoral duties include presiding over City Council meetings, overseeing department heads responsible for a $235.4 million budget, managing ongoing capital projects and representing the city at public events. The council unanimously approved that FY 2026-27 budget on May 11, 2026. The spending plan includes $93.5 million in the General Fund, with $47.5 million — 51 percent of that fund — dedicated to public safety staffing and operations. It also allocates $18.2 million for major and local street improvements.

Budget execution, contract approvals, department head oversight and public safety management will coincide with the August primary, November general election and, if Baker wins, the transition to Congress — including staffing a new congressional office, preparing for committee assignments and relocating operations to Washington, D.C.

Baker has not publicly committed to specific office hours, attendance guarantees for City Council meetings or protocols for managing department heads during the campaign.

"It's time to listen, lead, and unite," Ethan Baker, Troy mayor, said.

Baker's congressional campaign centers on economic uncertainty, affordability, cost of living, local jobs, health care, infrastructure and public safety. He has said his experience as mayor, on Troy City Council and with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has prepared him to work across differences and get results.

Baker was first elected to Troy City Council in 2015, won the mayoral election in November 2019 and was re-elected in November 2023. His background also includes work as a special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Michigan, a J.D. from Whittier College School of Law and a B.A. in political science from USC.

Succession rules are in place, but no plan has been announced

If the mayor is absent or disabled, the mayor pro tem performs the mayor's duties. If both are unavailable, the council member with the longest service becomes acting mayor. Mark Gunn currently serves as Troy's mayor pro tem, with his term ending in November 2027.

The current City Council consists of Baker, Gunn and council members Annalisa Bluhm, Theresa Brooks, Rebecca Chamberlain, Hirak Chanda and David Hamilton.

If Baker wins the congressional seat and creates a permanent vacancy, the council must declare the mayor's office vacant and appoint a replacement by a majority vote of the remaining members within 30 days. The successor would then be elected at the next applicable election. Troy elected officials serve until 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday following the regular election of the fourth year of their term. If Baker takes the congressional oath on Jan. 3, 2027, the appointed successor would serve until the Nov. 2, 2027, municipal election — leaving Troy under a council-selected mayor rather than a popularly elected one for approximately 10 months.

Baker has not announced a transition plan, discussed interim leadership arrangements with City Council or identified a preferred appointee. He has said that, as a future representative, he would still have his hand in Troy local issues and remain involved in the city even if elected to Congress.

Legal guardrails and public accountability

Michigan law establishes boundaries between Baker's public office and his campaign. The Michigan Campaign Finance Act prohibits a public body, or a person acting for one, from using public funds, personnel, office space, equipment, supplies or similar resources to influence an election. State law also requires a public body to maintain strict neutrality in elections and not attempt to influence the outcome. Michigan model ethics ordinances specify that mayors and other officials may campaign for another office in a personal capacity but should not use city staff, vehicles, email, property, stationery or working hours to campaign.

Residents can monitor Baker's attendance and participation through City Council agendas, minutes and video archives, which are public records. His role in presiding over meetings, voting on budget amendments, approving contracts and overseeing city departments creates a trackable record of engagement during the campaign.

Residents can also submit questions at City Council meetings, request transparency about the mayor's schedule and availability, and demand that the council publicly discuss succession planning before the November 2026 election, which creates a potential vacancy.

If Baker wins, the council's appointment of a mayor to serve for about 10 months without a direct electoral mandate will become a critical accountability moment for Troy.