Pontiac voters will pick a new U.S. representative this November. The race is already shaping up as a high-stakes contest in a district that has been safely Democratic for years.

Troy Mayor Ethan Baker announced his campaign for Michigan's 11th Congressional District on May 21, 2026. He is running as a Republican to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Haley Stevens, who is now seeking the U.S. Senate seat left open by retiring Sen. Gary Peters.

An Open Seat in a Democratic District

The 11th District covers much of urbanized Oakland County. It includes Pontiac, Royal Oak, Auburn Hills, Ferndale, Troy, West Bloomfield Township, and Wixom.

Stevens has represented the district since 2019. She won her last general election in 2024 with 58.2% of the vote. Her departure creates one of the most watched open seats in the state.

Baker is running unopposed in the Republican primary after another candidate, Tony Prieto, was disqualified, according to campaign records cited by CBS Detroit.

The Democratic Field

The Democratic primary is more crowded. Four candidates have entered the race to replace Stevens:

  • Jeremy Moss, Michigan state senator
  • Aisha Farooqi, attorney and former nominee for Michigan's 57th House district
  • John Paul Torres
  • Don Ufford, former engineer

The winner of the August 4 Democratic primary will face Baker in the November general election.

Baker's Platform

Baker served on the Troy City Council for four years before being elected mayor in 2019. He was reelected in 2023. Before entering local politics, he worked as a special assistant to former President Ronald Reagan in California.

In his campaign announcement, Baker highlighted cost of living, jobs, infrastructure, and mental health as top priorities.

"It's not only about being able to talk to each other again. It's about electing representatives who will lead by example. Leaders who are willing to work through differences, solve the challenges we face, and bring that same tone of respect and dignity to Congress, and then back home to the district."

That statement came from Baker's May 21 social media post, according to CBS Detroit.

What It Means for Pontiac

Pontiac voters have been part of the 11th District throughout Stevens' tenure. The district is one of the few in Michigan where Democrats have consistently won by double digits. Stevens' move to the Senate race leaves the door open for Republicans to test their strength in Oakland County.

Baker's decision to run unopposed on the GOP side means all the early political energy will focus on the Democratic primary. The field of four Democrats includes a sitting state senator and a former state House nominee, suggesting an expensive and competitive August contest.

The August 4 primary will determine the Democratic nominee. The general election is set for November 3, 2026.

"Issues such as mental and physical health, cost of living, jobs, economy and infrastructure need to be addressed now and are too important to be handled through division alone."

Baker made that case in his campaign launch. Whether Pontiac voters respond to that message will become clear as the primary season heats up.

Sources:

  • CBS Detroit, "Troy mayor launches GOP campaign for Haley Stevens' U.S. House seat," May 26, 2026
  • Wikipedia, "2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan"
  • Wikipedia, "Haley Stevens"