Candidate Name: Elden Baker
Anna City Council: Place 5
Contact Information: Ebaker@annatexas.gov
Interviewer: G. Brown
Date: February 23, 2026
Time: 6:15am – 7:45am
Location: Country Charm Coffee
Why do you want to continue as a City Council Member?
Elden Baker is grateful for the opportunity to represent Anna residents and serve on the Anna City Council since 2023. He is proud of the accomplishments he has been part of over the past three years.
During this time, Elden has also experienced significant growth as a leader. Through the challenges and responsibilities of serving, he has developed a deeper understanding of the needs of Anna and the importance of thoughtful, collaborative leadership. As a result of this experience, Elden believes he is even better prepared to contribute, serve, and lead at a higher level during a second term as the Place 5 City Council Member.
Elden continues to be passionate about representing and working for the Neighbors of our Anna community as a City Council Member. Elden remains dedicated to integrating and honoring Anna’s history as the city continues to grow and develop. By maintaining open and respectful communication with residents, he will continue to advocate for the sense of connection and community that defines Anna.
He believes it is crucial to manage Anna’s rapid growth with wisdom and strategy, rather than allowing development to outpace the community’s values and needs. As an even more experienced leader, Elden will lead by example—advocating assertively yet respectfully, encouraging collaboration, and making thoughtful decisions that strengthen Anna’s future.
Councilman Elden Baker is a proven leader with an effective and extensive background. Professionally, he is currently Manager of Engineering Services for Technical Training at Raytheon Intelligence and Space. He is a:
- 20-year, campaign decorated, Navy Veteran
- Founding Director and Teaching pastor of the North Texas Grace Bible Fellowship
- Graduate of Texas A & M
Locally, Elden has a long history of volunteering and servant leadership. He is:
- Currently serving in Place 5 of the Anna City Council
- Recently completed (12/25) serving on the Collin County Historical Commission
- A graduate of the Anna Neighbor Academy (first cohort)
- A prior Board Member of the Anna Parks Advisory Board
- A noted railroad historian (known as the Train Guy at the Anna Depot)
As a Resident and Candidate for City Council:
What is one thing in Anna for which you are particularly appreciative or proud and will work diligently to maintain or further develop as a City Council Member?
Elden Baker has demonstrated steady leadership not only as a City Council Member, but also through his service in various roles representing the neighbors of Anna prior to his time on the Council. His commitment to the community is reflected in several key areas, including:
- Respecting and preserving Anna’s history, including support for the development of a Historical Society
- Strengthening the sense of community and the relational foundation that defines Anna
- Supporting the Parks and Recreation Board’s recommendations and the City Council’s efforts to honor Anna’s historical figures through the naming of new city parks
Elden Baker has demonstrated a strong record of motivation and intentional dedication to honoring Anna’s history and the individuals who have helped shape the community so many families are proud to call home today. He takes particular pride in how these values have been preserved and thoughtfully integrated during a time of rapid growth.
If re-elected by the voters of Anna to continue serving as Place 5 City Council Member, Elden will remain committed to working diligently and providing leadership that honors the city’s history, strengthens its sense of community, and recognizes those who have devoted so much of their lives to its success.
Tell me about your familiarity with and/or implementation of:
1) The Home Rule Charter
2) Resolutions & Policies of Anna (i.e., Resolution # 2010-11-05)
Mr. Baker, a current member of the Anna City Council, is not only familiar with the Home Rule Charter but has read it thoroughly and understands how it establishes and guides the city’s municipal form of government. Additionally, during his term on the City Council from May 2023 through May 2026, he participated in the 2025 process to revise the Home Rule Charter. Elden utilizes and complies with the Home Rule Charter in his current role as a member of the
City Council. Further, he shared his awareness of the various roles, boundaries, and powers clearly established for the City, Mayor, City Council, and City Manager by the Home Rule Charter. Elden affirmed, as stated in the Pre-Amble of the Home Rule Charter, that the:
- City of Anna is governed through local self-government and all civic authority is ultimately in the hands of the residents of Anna
- Citizens of Anna have adopted the Home Rule Charter to:
a. Establish a home-rule municipal government
b. Provide for the future progress of our city
c. Obtain more fully the benefits of local self-government
d. Provide for the public welfare
Elden also affirmed, as stated under “Article 1. Form of Government and Boundaries” of the Home Rule Charter that all powers of the City: - Are vested in an elective council, referred to as the “City Council”
- Must be exercised in accordance with the Home Rule Charter, or if the manner is not prescribed in the Charter, then in accordance with:
a. City Ordinances
b. State Law
c. Federal Law
Elden also shared that, through the City Council’s routine discussions, decisions, and processes, he remains attentive to potential provisions within the Home Rule Charter that may warrant consideration for modification during future revisions. Councilman Baker is also familiar with other Resolutions and Policies of the City of Anna and has followed these in his current role on the Anna City Council.
*Note: For the residents and voters in the City of Anna, Texas, and other interested readers, the following sections of the Home Rule Charter are provided below (The full document is available on the website for the City of Anna):
Preamble
Form of Government
PREAMBLE
We the citizens of Anna, Texas in order to establish a home-rule municipal government, provide for the future progress of our City, obtain more fully the benefits of local self-government, and provide for the public welfare, adopt this Charter in accordance with the Constitution and statutes of the State of Texas; we further declare the residents of the City of Anna, in Collin County, Texas living within its legally established boundaries, to be a political subdivision of the State of Texas, incorporated forever under the name and style of the “City of Anna” with such powers, rights, privileges, authorities, duties, and immunities, as are provided in this Charter.
ARTICLE 1. FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND BOUNDARIES
1.01. Form of Government
The municipal government provided by this Charter is the “Council-Manager Government”. Under its provisions, and subject only to the limitations imposed by the State Constitution, the statutes of this State, and by this Charter, all powers of the City are vested in an elective council, referred to as the “City Council.” The City Council may enact local legislation, adopt budgets, determine policies, and appoint the City Manager, who is responsible to the City Council for the execution of the laws and the administration of the City government. All City powers must be exercised in accordance with this Charter, or if the manner is not prescribed in this Charter, then in accordance with City ordinances and state and federal law.