Summary
Michael James Baumgartner (born December 13, 1975) is an American politician and diplomat serving as the 28th Spokane County Treasurer. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 6th district from 2011 to 2019 and was his party’s nominee in the 2012 election for the United States Senate, unsuccessfully challenging Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell.
On February 26, 2024, Baumgartner announced his intention to run for the United States House of Representatives’ in Washington’s 5th congressional district to succeed Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, who is not seeking reelection. On August 6, 2024, Baumgartner won the primary election, placing first.
OnAir Post: Michael Baumgartner WA-05
About
Source: Campaign Site
Experience Getting Results
Reduce Eastern Washington property taxes and lower business taxes
Establish a new WSU Medical School in Spokane
Keep a Republican majority in the State Senate for six years
Fire Jay Inslee’s incompetent Secretary of Transportation
Protect rural water rights after the Hirst Decision
Secure funding to finish Spokane’s North-South Freeway
Reduce college tuition by 15%-20%, the largest reduction in the nation
Eliminate five state government agencies to reduce bureaucratic waste
I’m running for Congress to protect the American Dream. Every day, it seems the America we love—the one of hope, of strength and of promise of a better future for our kids—is being destroyed.
We can’t let that happen.
I spent eight years in the Washington State Senate pushing back against the Seattle radicals… and winning. With my help, we put Republicans in charge, slashed government agencies, got Spokane a WSU medical school and FINALLY got full funding to finish the North-South Freeway.
I was born in the Palouse and went to WSU. I’m Eastern Washington through and through. My family is the center of my life—my wonderful Eleanor and our five children. They go to public schools. They play sports. They are amazing kids.
But will they inherit the same chance at a future for the American Dream that we’ve all had? You bet they will. We’re going to make sure of it.
The most important thing we need to do right now is secure our southern border. Fentanyl and drugs are pouring in the country. Law breakers are entering by the thousands every day, and half measures aren’t going to cut it. We need fighters who can win.
And there is another border we need to protect—the one between lawful and unlawful, civilized and chaotic. Across the county, tent cities, homelessness and crime is going unchecked.
Eleanor and I met in Afghanistan. She came from Britain and I had worked with the state department. We’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices of so many. There’s a border between the life we have and the world DC is pushing us toward. I’m not standing on the sidelines while the American Dreams dies. Not for my kids. Not for yours.
Together we can win the American Dream for Eastern Washington.
Web Links
Politics
Source: Wikipedia
On February 26, 2024, shortly after incumbent Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers announced she would not seek re-election, Baumgartner announced he would run for Washington’s 5th congressional district. While no public polling was conducted, Baumgartner was largely seen as the early favorite for the Republican nomination.
On August 6, 2024, Baumgartner won the primary for the open seat, placing first, with Democrat Carmela Conroy placing second. He received 28.4% of the vote to Conroy’s 19.5%
On November 5, 2024, Baumgartner officially won the race for the district with over 60% of the vote.[25] Notably, he outperformed predecessor Cathy McMorris Rogers’ result in 2022, despite not being an incumbent. He was the best performing Republican out of any candidate in the state, both federally and statewide.
Finances
Source: Vote Smart
New Legislation
Issues
What are your stances on the issues?
I am a Republican and a conservative. It is how I was raised – here in Eastern Washington – and it’s what I believe is best for my family and our country. This means I favor individual liberty, respect the Constitution, believe in free enterprise solutions and cherish the values and traditions that built America: a can-do attitude as well as love of family and country.
Thomas Jefferson said, “the God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time.” Benjamin Franklin said that the Founders bequeathed us a democratic Republic…“if you can keep it.” I will fight to keep it – for Eastern Washington, for our children and for generations to come – just as our forebears preserved it for us.
Secure the Southern Border and Immigration
I will strongly support policies that secure our border and bring the rule of law and common sense to immigration policy. Our open southern border is letting drugs and unvetted migrants pour into America. I’ve been to the border, talked to law enforcement and border guards and I know the heavy cost that we are paying for the failure to secure our border.
Much of the crime, drug abuse and homelessness in Eastern Washington can be traced back to the Mexican cartels that bring drugs over the border and profit from human trafficking and the horrific exploitation of children.
When I visited the border in Yuma, Arizona, this past spring, I personally watched people from many different countries – including hotbeds of international terrorism – walk around the uncompleted border wall and enter our country. It poses a real terrorism threat.
It is important that the border wall is built, as requested by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, but much more is required. We need a multi-faceted approach that starts with enforcing our existing laws. Economic migrants should be vetted before reaching the American border. Policies like “Remain in Mexico” need to be reinstated. E-verify needs to be fully implemented. The sanctuary city experiment needs to end.
Meanwhile, our refugee and asylum programs are being abused. There are people who deserve and need our help. My wife and I have assisted former Afghan colleagues who worked for the US Government and now face Taliban reprisals, helping with their applications for Special Immigrant Visas. However we need to tighten our asylum processes to reduce fraud.
The bipartisan border bill was a step in the right direction, but we need to do more. Our current border situation is untenable. Every person should be treated with respect and dignity, but failing to enforce our laws is encouraging unlawful entry and ultimately it is resulting in tremendous human suffering.
Tackle Inflation
I will strongly support policies that reduce inflation and the price increases that are crippling working-class families.
Inflation is a direct result of the federal government spending too much money, increasing demand and forcing prices to rise. The current administration has spent money like drunken sailors, with one mega-spending budget after another.
Stop Reckless Spending
I will strongly support policies that reign in reckless spending.
Our growing national debt threatens the prosperity of future generations of Americans. This year, our country reached over $35 trillion in federal debt. Interest payments have ballooned from $345 billion in 2020 to a projected $728 billion this year. It has to get fixed.
A trillion dollars is a big number; a million dollars in $100 bills fits in a school backpack, a billion takes up 10 construction pallets but a trillion fills 1,000 pallets, each double stacked with bills – enough to fill a football field. Our national debt would more than fill every NFL field in America.
Annual interest payments on the federal debt are now the largest item in the federal budget, costing more than the national defense, highways, veterans programs or foreign aid. These huge interest payments are a result of the profligate, undisciplined and hypocritical actions of past Congresses.
As many individuals with a credit card know, it’s easy to spend today and put off payments until tomorrow – but in a short time, the payments become due…and with interest. On a national level, we’ve delayed paying the bill for a generation. We have to draw a line and say that we will not continue to add to the massive debt load. It fuels inflation and will be a burden on our children and grandchildren.
Only by eliminating wasteful spending can we keep our promises to seniors and veterans, to fully fund the benefits they have been promised (and earned). Some federal programs can be privatized with strict performance guidelines, while other programs can be canceled completely. For example, in Europe each airport contracts out its security service rather than running it through a bureaucratic federal agency like the TSA – saving money and improving customer service.
Although having private companies delivering services can sound risky, NASA has shown that private companies – like SpaceX and Starlink, not to mention Boeing, Northrop Grumman and others – have a good record providing services. Even the Post Office contracts with FedEx for some delivery. Good public-private partnerships can save taxpayers millions and provide better services.
In the Washington State Legislature, we were required to pass balanced budgets. Congress must do the same. As a state senator, I also sponsored successful bi-partisan legislation that eliminated five government agencies – including such outdated functions as a state printer. The federal government is filled with overstaffing and inefficient programs, and it’s the role of Congress to provide oversight and hold the bureaucrats accountable.
Energy, Hydropower and Dams
I will protect the Snake River dams that are so important for our agricultural communities and our energy needs.
We should be investing in our dams, not threatening to tear them down. The dams allow efficient, low emission barge transportation of agricultural commodities and products, and they produce enough energy to power over a million homes – about 1,000 megawatts on average…the same as a large nuclear power plant. In addition, the dams have a maximum generation capacity of 3,000 megawatts and an ability to rapidly increase power generation at times of critical need.
Preserving our salmon population is important, and I appreciate the ongoing science-based salmon recovery efforts. Fish survival rates at the dams are comparable to free-flowing rivers, and salmon returns have improved over recent years. Unfortunately, the fish are under pressure from other factors including warmer ocean conditions, predatory birds and sea lions. Removing the dams is not the answer.
There are some who want to breach the dams. I’ll work to ensure this never happens. Federal policy must protect the dams.
America is an energy powerhouse. We can produce all the energy we need for our country and have surplus to sell to the world – and to help protect our allies. We need an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy production, including hydropower, wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas and oil, to ensure a future with reliable, safe and affordable power.
The nuclear age began at Hanford and Eastern Washington continues to be an important center for nuclear power. It’s time for the federal government to embrace new generations of nuclear technology to ensure that America and its allies are not held hostage by foreign governments.
One of the most damaging policies embraced by Governor Inslee is a carbon tax, or so-called “cap and invest” program, to funnel revenue into electric transit and vehicle programs (benefitting King County). Washington’s new tax on CO2 emissions ended up adding about 43 cents per gallon of gas for 2023. The final price was reduced by several market interventions by Department of Ecology staff, but prices are likely to increase.
I fought cap and trade when I was in the Senate, supporting laws prohibiting such programs. But in the years after I left the Senate, a far-left majority removed the prohibition and put Inslee’s plan into effect in 2021.
Agriculture and Rural Communities
I will be a strong advocate for the farmers and ranchers of Eastern Washington.
I was raised in wheat country in Colton on the Palouse and I know how essential agriculture is to Eastern Washington. I’ll fight for our dams and work to ensure that the new five-year Farm Bill reflects the priorities of our local communities.
A new Farm Bill is overdue. The 2018 Farm Bill has currently been extended while Congress works on updated legislation, however passage of a new Farm Bill during 2024 now looks unlikely. I will work to ensure that the Farm Bill passes – without further delay – once I get sworn in to office.
We need a strong Farm Bill to provide certainty to farmers and ranchers. We must provide effective safety nets with affordable crop insurance, strengthen programs to boost market access and ensure ongoing funding for the world-class agricultural research at WSU which drives innovation and informs best practices to address local, regional and global challenges.
Education
I support local control of education and empowering parents to have choice and options in their children’s schools. My mother spent 43 years as an award-winning public school kindergarten teacher in Colton and Pullman. I believe in our public schools and want them to deliver world-class education, free of political influence. I also support parents’ right to send their children to private schools or to home school.
K-12
Quality education means putting families in charge and ensuring transparency and accountability. Parents should be able to make decisions for their own children that align with their values.
America was built on local control. We need less federal intervention in education, with greater local freedom over spending education dollars at the state and community level.
Strong academic standards should be maintained in the face of efforts to “dumb down” curriculum.
I support school choice vouchers In the State Senate, I sponsored legislation that would have created a voucher program and I’ve been an active supporter of our state’s charter schools.
Political correctness and woke ideology have no place in our schools. It should be required that schools share curriculum content, educational materials and student records online so that they can easily be reviewed by families.
Education should not take a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Not all students learn the same way, and we need more vocational and technical education options.
Higher education
I have a strong track record of supporting higher education. I led successful efforts for the only state college tuition reduction in American history – lowering the price of schools like WSU and EWU by 15 percent! I fought against determined opposition to successfully bring a new WSU medical school to Spokane, where it was critically needed to educate doctors for the rural communities of Eastern Washington.
I’m interested in learning more about ways to reform our federal student loans program, which has had an inflationary effect on college tuition costs without significantly increasing access to college education.
The United States is the world’s leading exporter of food, but trade barriers and higher costs are damaging our competitiveness in global markets. Food security is national security, and it is critical that we protect our agricultural supply chain against vulnerabilities and that we do more to secure our farmland.
We need to support our timber communities, boosting markets for wood products and ensuring well-paid rural jobs. My father was a professor of forestry at WSU and worked in extension across Eastern Washington. We need to encourage more active management of our forest lands, improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk, while revitalizing rural communities. We should also allow greater local control, such as following the model of the collaborative Colville A-Z project.
Social Security and Medicare
I will fight to make sure that senior citizens receive every penny of the Social Security and Medicare benefits that they have been promised.
It is important that we continue these vital programs and that people who have paid into them get back what was promised. This is non-negotiable: Medicare and Social Security benefits will not be reduced.
Veterans
I will work tirelessly as a champion for veterans, making sure the focus of the VA is where it needs to be – on health care, not bureaucracy.
In Iraq and Afghanistan, working as a civilian, I saw firsthand the bravery and sacrifice of our service members. I made many friends there and view it as a personal commitment to live up to the promises our government made to them.
Veterans earned their benefits and it should not be a bureaucratic nightmare for them to get health care.
We need to hold the VA accountable and improve service at Mann-Grandstaff. Wait times are too long and care options are too limited. The VA needs to provide more flexibility for veterans and their families to get the help that they need.
VA doctors and nurses are getting burned out and the system is under tremendous strain. Systems to improve electronic records management need massive overhaul. Veterans who need assistance are falling through the cracks. Too many disabled veterans are struggling to stay out of poverty. There’s got to be a better way.
The general population doesn’t understand just how high our military’s operational tempo has been over the past two decades and what demands this has put on our soldiers and their families. Americans with a proud, multi-generational history of service are questioning whether they want their own children to serve in our armed forces these days. We can’t turn our backs on those who have shouldered such a burden for our freedom. We need to do better.
Supporting our Military
I will work to support and upgrade Fairchild Air Force Base.
Fairchild Air Force Base is a source of pride for Eastern Washington, a key part of our national defense network and an essential part of our local community.
Previous 5th Congressional District Representatives like Cathy McMorris Rodgers, George Nethercutt and Tom Foley worked to ensure that Fairchild would stay open when there were base closures and that it would continue its vital refueling mission serving the Indo-Pacific region. I will do the same.
We must strengthen Fairchild AFB – honoring those that fight for our freedom and providing our military with the resources they need. We must support our servicemembers with quality housing and healthcare, invest in advanced equipment and defense technologies, support recruitment and retention efforts and ensure we also care for military spouses and families.
National Security and China
I will support a strong and smart American foreign policy. I will work to ensure that the Chinese Communist Government does not buy up strategic US assets such as water rights, energy infrastructure or farmland near our military bases.
We need to be feared and respected on the international stage. Right now, we are neither. I’ve seen firsthand in Iraq and Afghanistan the result of Bush-era policies seeking to undermine support for Islamic terrorism by creating Jeffersonian democracies in the Middle East. It was a noble attempt, but it was unrealistic and cost far too many American lives.
Yet, we must stay engaged with the world. The world is a dangerous place and if we were to fully withdraw, our enemies would exploit the situation. Foreign events impact us here at home.
Our foreign policy must first serve America’s interests, and we need our allies to step up and share the burden of countering hostile actors.
China poses a unique threat. The Soviet Union was a determined adversary, but it was never economically strong or technologically advanced…China is both. And make no mistake: Chinese leadership is determined to topple America’s global leadership.
Their trade practices undermine our manufacturing, costing American jobs, while their spies spread disinformation and influence academics. Chinese companies increasingly are trying to buy farmland and agricultural producers.
In general, I’m a firm believer in the power of free markets and in free trade, but in this case we need to ensure that we are not sleeping while China mobilizes on all fronts – spying, buying and propagandizing.
2nd Amendment
I will support policies that guarantee Americans their 2nd Amendment rights.
I had a 100% voting record in support of 2nd Amendment issues during my time in the Washington State Legislature and will continue to vote in support of the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment must be protected both for personal freedom and hunting, but also to protect against tyranny of the Government.
I’m proud to be rated “A” by the Gun Owners of America.
Abortion
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Constitution requires each state to make their own laws on this subject, and different states are adopting varying laws. I support the right of the people and legislatures of each state to make their own abortion laws as consistent with the US Constitution.
I am Catholic and pro-life. I support the option of IVF for those who need it. I would hope no state would adopt laws that prohibits abortion in cases of rape, incest, or when needed to protect the life of the mother.
I am a strong supporter of Crisis Pregnancy Centers and those seeking avenues for adoption.
A “culture of life” should support young families and women making difficult decisions, just as it cares for the elderly and infirm.
More Information
Wikipedia
Michael James Baumgartner (/ˈbɑːmɡɑːrtnər/ BAHM-gart-nər, born December 13, 1975)[1] is an American politician and former diplomat currently serving as the U.S. Representative from Washington’s 5th congressional district, a post he has held since 2025. Baumgartner, a Republican, previously served as the 28th Spokane County Treasurer and as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 6th district from 2011 to 2019 and was his party’s nominee in the 2012 election for the United States Senate, unsuccessfully challenging Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell.
On February 26, 2024, Baumgartner announced his intention to run for the United States House of Representatives’ in Washington’s 5th congressional district to succeed Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, who did not seek reelection.[2] In August and November 2024, he won and placed first in both the primary and general elections respectively.[3]
Early life, education, and career
Baumgartner was born in Pullman. His mother is a kindergarten teacher and his father was a professor of Forestry and Natural Resource Sciences. After graduating from Pullman High School, he earned a scholarship to attend Washington State University. There, he was awarded a Thomas Foley scholarship, and was named a Stephenson scholar, an award given to the top graduates from the Honors College. He graduated in 1999 with a degree in economics with minors in French and mathematics. In 2002, he earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University.
After graduating from Harvard, Baumgartner, a Catholic, volunteered on a Gonzaga Jesuit mission to Mozambique and studied forests in Siberia.
During the Iraq War, he served as the economics officer in the Office of Joint Strategic Planning & Assessment (JSPA) at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, helping the Iraqi government as part of the Baghdad Security Plan, receiving accolades from then General David Petraeus as well as Ambassador Ryan Crocker.[4] In 2008, he spent 7 months working as a civilian contractor in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. That same year, Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen referred to Baumgartner as an “Architect of Hope” in Iraq.[5][6]
After leaving Iraq, Baumgartner worked as a civilian contractor in Helmand Province, Afganistan, where encouraged poppy farmers to grow food instead, in an effort to combat the opioid epidemic. He would meet his wife Eleanor Mayne, a journalist studying counternarcotics in Helmand Province, and the two were married in 2010.[7]
Washington State Senate
Baumgartner represented parts of the City of Spokane, Airway Heights, and Cheney including Eastern Washington University. (map)
Elections
In 2010, Baumgartner returned to Eastern Washington and was planning a trip with his future wife Eleanor “to see if we actually like each other,” when he was approached by Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ Chief of Staff and future Spokane Mayor David Condon, who recruited him to run against incumbent Democratic State Senator and Majority Whip Chris Marr for the Washington State Senate 6th Legislative District seat.[7] On August 17, 2010, in the state primary election, Baumgartner defeated Marr with 53% of the vote.[8] In the November election, he officially defeated Marr with 54% of the vote.[9] The election battle between Marr and Baumgartner is considered the most hotly contested and expensive state legislative races in Washington state history.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Baumgartner | 33,929 | 54 | |
| Democratic | Chris Marr (Incumbent) | 29,237 | 46 | |
In 2014, Baumgartner ran for re-election to the State Senate, easily winning.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Baumgartner | 28,309 | 57.5 | |
| Democratic | Rich Cowan | 20,949 | 42.7 | |
Tenure
During his tenure as Washington State Senator, Baumgartner has sponsored keynote legislation such as an amendment to the Washington State Senate to rise Higher Education to the State’s #2 focus, reorganizing and streamlining central service functions, powers, and duties of the State Government, and reforming the rule-making process for State Economic Policy (the latter two receiving 47–0 votes in the State Senate).[10]
In 2012 Baumgartner was named one of the National Federation of Independent Business‘s Guardians of Business, the highest award they offer, in recognition of his votes that side “100 Percent” with small businesses.[11] The Association of Washington Business has awarded him their ‘Cornerstone Award’ also, in recognition of his support for employers, economic development, and business-related issues in the Washington State Legislature.[12]
In 2015, Baumgartner was awarded the “Legislator of The Year” award by anti-tax activist Tim Eyman due to his consistent effort to fight tax increases proposed in the state legislature.[13]
During the 2016 presidential election primaries, Baumgartner chaired Scott Walker‘s campaign for president in the state of Washington.[14]
Committee assignments
In 2011 and 2012, Baumgartner was the ranking minority member of the Economic Development Trade & Innovation Committee, served on the Ways & Means Committee, and the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee.[15]
In 2013, two Democrats joined with the 23 Republicans to form the Majority Coalition Caucus.[16] With the new coalition, Baumgartner was named Vice-Chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, and was also assigned to the Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee, the Higher Education Committee, and the Human Services and Corrections Committee.[17]
2012 U.S. Senate election
In October 2011, Baumgartner decided to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). Cantwell was running for her third term.[18] Washington uses a “top-two” nonpartisan blanket primary system, in which the top two candidates of any party in the primary election advance to the general election. Cantwell and Baumgartner finished first and second, respectively, and competed in the general election.
Baumgartner has formally endorsed Washington Initiative 502 to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana for adults 21 and over, making him the first and only candidate for statewide office in Washington state to do so, and taking a position that wasn’t popular in his party.[19][20]
In the November general election, Cantwell defeated Baumgartner. Cantwell received over 60% of the vote, to Baumgarter’s 40%.
Spokane County Treasurer
In 2018, Baumgartner opted not to run for reelection to the State Senate. Instead, he chose to run for Spokane County Treasurer. He won the November election and took office in January 2019.[21] He was unopposed for reelection in 2022.
Elections
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Baumgartner | 126,421 | 57.5 | |
| Democratic | David Green | 93,516 | 42.5 | |
In 2022, Baumgartner ran for re-election and won unopposed.[22]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Baumgartner | 152,682 | 95.9 | |
| Write-in | 6,463 | 4 | ||
U.S. House of Representatives
On February 26, 2024, shortly after incumbent Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers announced she would not seek re-election, Baumgartner announced he would run for Washington’s 5th congressional district. While no public polling was conducted, Baumgartner was largely seen as the early favorite for the Republican nomination.[23]
On August 6, 2024, Baumgartner won the primary for the open seat, placing first, with Democrat Carmela Conroy placing second. He received 28.4% of the vote to Conroy’s 19.5%[24]
On November 5, 2024, Baumgartner officially won the race for the district with over 60% of the vote.[25] Notably, he outperformed predecessor Cathy McMorris Rogers’ result in 2022, despite not being an incumbent. He was the best performing Republican out of any candidate in the state, both federally and statewide.[26]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Baumgartner | 35,371 | 28.4 | |
| Democratic | Carmela Conroy | 24,342 | 19.5 | |
| Republican | Jacquelin Maycumber | 15,245 | 12.2 | |
| Democratic | Bernadine Bank | 14,729 | 11.8 | |
| Republican | Brian Dansel | 12,301 | 9.9 | |
| Democratic | Ann Marie Danimus | 7,039 | 5.7 | |
| Republican | Jonathan Bingle | 4,240 | 3.4 | |
| Republican | Rene Holaday | 3,622 | 2.9 | |
| Republican | Rick Flynn | 3,204 | 2.6 | |
| Democratic | Matthew Welde | 2,793 | 2.2 | |
| Democratic | Bobbi Bennett-Wolcott | 1,619 | 1.3 | |
| Write-in | 121 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 124,626 | 100.0 | ||
- 40–50%30–40%20–30%
- 30–40%
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Baumgartner | 240,619 | 60.6 | |
| Democratic | Carmela Conroy | 156,074 | 39.3 | |
| Write-in | 593 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 397,286 | 100.0 | ||
Notable achievements and votes
During his tenure in the State Senate, Baumgartner fought to improve infrastructure in Eastern Washington, including securing the $900 million funding needed to complete the north–south corridor route first proposed sixty years ago, being the sole local Republican to support the major transportation package,[29] helping lead successful efforts to build a new medical school in Spokane which addressed physician shortages in underserved and rural areas of Eastern Washington, which contributed to boosting healthcare economy jobs growth. The medical school, which was directed to be spearheaded by Washington State University, was originally blocked due to a 100-year old law that had given the University of Washington a monopoly on training doctors in the state.[30][31] Baumgartner lead efforts to repeal the law, ultimately being successful in 2015.
Baumgartner considered public education a top priority during his tenure and led efforts to halt increases and reduce tuition for public universities by 20% in Washington State in 2015, including the University of Washington and Washington State University. It is currently the largest successful tuition reduction in the country’s history.[7] He has consistently fought for charter schools, which received significant opposition from the Washington State teachers’ union Washington Education Association.[32][33]
One of Baumgartner’s most notable personal efforts was in 2016, when he took an outspoken stand against the expulsion of an American Samoan student, Robert Barber, from Washington State University. Barber had been only one credit short of a college degree when he was accused of involvement in a brawl. Baumgartner told a meeting of WSU regents: “If you don’t fix this, I goddamn will.” Barber was reinstated to the student body, and was later found innocent of all criminal charges.[34][35][36]
In February 2018, Baumgartner was one of a handful of Washington State legislators to vote against a bill that would have exempted legislators from public records rules.[37]
In the final year of his tenure, 2018, the Washington Policy Center think-tank announced that Baumgartner would be presented with their prestigious “Champion of Freedom” award, in recognition “for his outstanding commitment to free-market principles, worker rights and limited government, particularly in advancing labor reform in our state. WPC’s board chose. Baumgartner for this award in recognition of his “unwavering principled stand on numerous key during his many years in the State Senate.”[38]
Concluding the 2018 legislative session, Baumgartner introduced a satirical resolution calling for April 1 to be celebrated as “Governor Jay Inslee Integrity Day”, mocking the Governor for his about-turn on vetoing public records legislation.[39][40]
Awards
- 2014 Guardians of Small Business award. Presented by NFIB.[41]
- 2015 Legislator of the Year award. Presented by Tim Eyman.[42]
- 2018 Champion of Freedom award. Presented by Washington Policy Center.[43]
Personal life
Baumgartner and his wife Eleanor have three sons and two daughters. In early 2018, they lost their fifth baby after suffering a late miscarriage.
Baumgartner maintained a close friendship with Washington State University football coach Mike Leach throughout his life.[44] Leach and Baumgartner taught a course together at WSU titled “Leadership Lessons in Insurgent Warfare & Football Strategy,” designed to “explore strategy and tactics common in both Guerilla Warfare and college football to provide a backdrop for critical thinking.”[45]
References
- ^ “Michael Baumgartner (R) – Candidate for US Senate”. KHQ. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
- ^ “Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner announces bid for Washington’s 5th Congressional district”. KREM (TV). 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ “Republican Michael Baumgartner and Democrat Carmela Conroy projected to advance in 5th Congressional District primary˜”. The Spokesman-Review. 2024-07-06. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
- ^ “Honors College: Michael Baumgartner”. Honors.wsu.edu. 2006-02-14. Archived from the original on 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ “What I’d rather read – The Boston Globe”. Boston.com. 2008-06-02. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ “Vote Michael Baumgartner for US Senate”. Baumgartnerforsenate.com. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ a b c d “How Michael Baumgartner became the frontrunner to be Eastern Washington’s next Congressman | the Spokesman-Review”.
- ^ “WA State Senate District 6 – Open Primary Race – Aug 17, 2010”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ “WA State Senate District 6 Race – Nov 02, 2010”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ “Bill Sponsorship”. Leg.wa.gov. Archived from the original on 2012-08-07. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ “SMALL BUSINESS SLAMS BALTIMORE COUNCIL FOR LABOR COST INCREASE”. NFIB. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
- ^ “Home – Senate Republican Caucus”. senaterepublicans.wa.gov. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
- ^ “Baumgartner”. Tim Eyman. 2024-07-25.
- ^ “How Michael Baumgartner became the frontrunner to be Eastern Washington’s next Congressman”. The Spokesman-Review. 2024-10-28.
- ^ “Baumgartner”. Leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ “2 Dems join GOP in state Senate coup, say parties will split power | Politics Northwest”. Seattle Times. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
- ^ “Baumgartner named vice chair of budget-writing Ways and Means Committee as part of Majority Coalition Caucus”. Michael Baumgartner. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
- ^ “Washington – Oregon – Idaho”. Nwcn.com. 2011-09-30. Archived from the original on 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ “Baumgartner endorses marijuana initiative”. Spin Control (blog). The Spokesman-Review. October 3, 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
- ^ “Cantwell’s GOP Foe Wants Legal Pot”. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. October 3, 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
- ^ Edelen, Amy (November 6, 2018). “Michael Baumgartner will be next Spokane County treasurer”. The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
- ^ “Spokane County November 8, 2022 General Election”.
- ^ “Five Takeaways from This Week’s Washington State Primary”. 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ “August 6, 2024 Primary Results”. Office of the Secretary of State of Washington. 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ “AP Race Call: Republican Michael Baumgartner wins election to U.S. House in Washington’s 5th Congressional District”. Associated Press. November 6, 2024.
- ^ “November 5, 2024 General Election Results – CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 5 – U.S. Representative”.
- ^ “Certification of Results” (PDF). Washington Secretary of State.
- ^ “Official Canvass of the Returns” (PDF). Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ Walters, Daniel. “The Two Baumgartners”. Inlander. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
- ^ “WSU medical school in Spokane gets Senate OK”. spokesman.com. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ “Gov. Jay Inslee signs WSU medical school legislation | WSU Insider | Washington State University”. WSU Insider. 2015-04-01. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
- ^ “Lawmakers float proposal to keep charter schools”. seattletimes.com. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ Criscione, Wilson. “Baumgartner to Spokane charter schools: ‘We’re going to continue to need your help’“. Inlander. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
- ^ “State Sen. Michael Baumgartner, Jack Thompson, others point to Robert Barber in call for WSU student conduct reform”. The Seattle Times. 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
- ^ “Forum at WSU brings threats by state Sen. Michael Baumgartner amid impassioned defense of football player Robert Barber”. Spokesman.com. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
- ^ “Acquitted of assault, former WSU lineman Robert Barber ‘hoping to get on with his life and into the NFL’“. Spokesman.com. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
- ^ “Washington State Legislature praises itself for expanding transparency. Media and open government groups call BS”. Inlander.com. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
- ^ “2018 Annual Dinner”. washingtonpolicy.org. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
- ^ “Senate resolution takes shot at Inslee”. spokesman.com. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ ““Governor Inslee Integrity Day”? – Washington State Wire”. Washington State Wire. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
- ^ “69 Lawmakers Win Main Street’s Highest Award”. nfib.com. May 12, 2014. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ “Baumgartner”. Tim Eyman. 2024-07-25.
- ^ “Michael and Eleanor Baumgartner named Washington Policy Center’s Eastern Washington Senior Advisors”. washingtonpolicy.org. January 23, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ “Spokane County official celebrates his travels with Mike Leach”. KPBX-FM. 14 December 2022.
- ^ “Leadership Lessons in Insurgent Warfare & Football Strategy” (PDF). Whitman County Watch.
External links
- Michael Baumgartner for Senate official campaign site
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
