Ethan Baker
“I listen closely, stay grounded, and lead with unity in mind for the people I serve.”
Family
Seventeen years ago, when people were moving out of Michigan, Ethan Baker and his wife Bethany were moving in, choosing Oakland County as the place to build their life and raise their family. It was a deliberate decision to put down roots, slow down, and invest in a place they could truly call home. Ethan was raised by a single mother in California and learned early on that nothing in life was going to be handed to him. He needed to work for it, stay accountable, and show up for the people who depended on him. That mindset has stayed with him ever since and continues to shape how he leads and lives. Bethany, who grew up in Michigan, is a PhD Marriage and Family Therapist and the President and Co-founder of a nonprofit therapy organization. Her life’s work is helping families strengthen relationships and navigate life’s challenges. Together, they are raising, loving, and grateful to God for their three children—Arden, 19, Canaan, 17, and Aven, 14.
Their days are full in the way so many families understand, with early mornings, school schedules, activities, and time spent in the community they call home; and, as Ethan likes to admit, the occasional Starbucks run to keep up with it all (okay, not that occasional), and somehow it all works because it’s life shared together.
Formative Years
Ethan's path has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to learning, service, and showing up prepared. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Southern California, his law degree magna cum laude from Whittier College School of Law, and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. He has also earned the certificate for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, continuing his focus on public leadership and service.
Beginning at age 20, Ethan was selected as an intern in the post-presidential office of President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan, and when the internship ended, he was hired. Ethan served more than four years as a Special Assistant to two of the most influential Republican leaders of their era. During that time, he worked closely with President and Mrs. Reagan and spent a great deal of time in their home, learning from them in a personal and direct way that left a lasting impression. What stood out most to him was how consistent President Reagan was—his humor, kindness, and ease with people were the same in private as they were in public. That authenticity had a lasting impact on Ethan and shaped his belief that leadership is steady, humble, and grounded in character—focused less on recognition and more on doing the work and bringing people together around shared purpose.
As an attorney, Ethan went on to build and now owns his own law practice in Troy, where he has spent his legal career helping families plan for the future and supporting small businesses through growth, change, and transition in areas such as elder law, estate planning, business law, and real estate. That work has always been about people first—listening carefully, earning trust, and helping them move forward with confidence and stability.
Public Service & Leadership
As Mayor of Troy, Ethan was first elected to City Council in 2015 and later elected Mayor in 2019, and has now served as mayor for the last seven years as a nonpartisan leader committed to restoring confidence in how local government works. He stepped into leadership at a time when many residents felt the city had lost its way, with concerns about a lack of openness and growing distrust in local government. In response, he prioritized rebuilding trust between the city and the community it serves. He is a hands-on mayor who can be seen throughout the city on a daily basis, staying closely involved with residents, businesses, and city operations. He was subsequently re-elected unchallenged, reflecting broad confidence in his leadership and direction for the city. He genuinely enjoys serving as mayor and being out in the community, spending time with residents and the people he serves. Over time, he has helped change the tone of local government to one that is more open, respectful, and centered on steady and thoughtful leadership.
In addition to his role as mayor, Ethan serves as Chair and U.S. Commissioner for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, a role he was appointed to by the President of the United States, where he works alongside U.S. and Canadian partners to protect one of the world’s most important freshwater ecosystems and a $5.1 billion binational Great Lakes economy that supports communities across both countries and First Nations.
One of his most meaningful accomplishments in this role has been helping restore and strengthen the working relationship between the United States and Canada after a period of strained cooperation. Through direct engagement with Canadian federal and provincial leaders, including testimony before Canadian parliamentary bodies and ongoing meetings with senior officials, he worked to rebuild trust, clarify shared responsibilities, and re-establish a spirit of partnership. That effort ultimately contributed to renewed agreement on contributions and coordination, ensuring Canada fully met its commitments and recommitted to joint stewardship of the Great Lakes. For Ethan, it remains one of the most personally meaningful parts of his public service—seeing cooperation restored in a space where economy and ecology are inseparably linked, and where strong partnership directly impacts millions of people across the U.S., Canada, and First Nations.
Locally, Ethan has worked to support neighborhoods and small businesses through roles including Vice Chair of the Downtown Development Authority and Chair of the Global Troy Advisory Committee, and has served on the Local Development Finance Authority and as an Advisory Board Member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, bringing Troy’s voice into broader national conversations about cities and growth. Beyond formal roles, he has remained deeply engaged in the community—supporting local organizations, welcoming new businesses, working with volunteers, and speaking with students about civic engagement and leadership. Through it all, his approach has stayed the same: listen closely, stay grounded, and lead with unity in mind for the people he serves. Ethan’s heart is in this community - Michigan’s 11th District, and he remains committed to continuing to represent it with the same steady presence and dedication that has defined his service.
