Michael Baumgartner
A candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 5 in the 2024 Washington Primary Election, Aug. 6
Party: Republican
Age: 48
City: Spokane, Washington
Education: Graduated from Pullman High School in 1995, after attending Gonzaga Prep for two years. Graduated from Washington State University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Graduated from Harvard University in 2002 with a master’s degree in public administration.
Work experience: Worked for office of the Crown Prince of Dubai as economic development adviser for about a year starting in June 2002. Worked two years starting in the spring of 2003 for i4, a company that hoped to build a telecommunication network in Saudi Arabia. Worked as Dubai-based business consultant for about a year. Worked as consultant for Hecla Mining related to gold mine in Venezuela for several months in 2006. Worked as economics officer for the U.S. State Department in Iraq for about a year starting in spring 2007. Worked for Civilian Police International, a State Department contractor, in Afghanistan on a counter-narcotics program for about eight months starting in December 2008. Provided pre-deployment advisory to U.S. military on counterinsurgency. Lecturer on counterinsurgency at Sciences Po University in Paris.
Political experience: Has served as Spokane County treasurer after winning election in 2018 and 2022. Previously elected to state Senate in 2010, unseating Democratic incumbent Chris Marr. Re-elected in 2014. Unsuccessfully challenged Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell in 2012. Previously served as vice chairman of Senate Ways and Means Committee and chairman of Commerce and Labor committee.
Family: Married to Eleanor Baumgartner. Has five children.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Baumgartner (R) | 55,859 | 27.49% |
| Carmela Conroy (D) | 37,227 | 18.32% |
| Jacquelin Maycumber (R) | 27,717 | 13.64% |
| Bernadine Bank (D) | 24,111 | 11.86% |
| Brian Dansel (R) | 21,983 | 10.82% |
| Ann Marie Danimus (D) | 11,306 | 5.56% |
| Jonathan Bingle (R) | 7,510 | 3.70% |
| Rene’ Holaday (R) | 6,180 | 3.04% |
| Rick Valentine Flynn (R) | 4,822 | 2.37% |
| Matthew Welde (D) | 4,183 | 2.06% |
| Bobbi Bennett-Wolcott (D) | 2,336 | 1.15% |
Related Coverage
How Michael Baumgartner became the frontrunner to be Eastern Washington’s next Congressman
The political career of Michael Baumgartner may have begun with an email newsletter.
Michael Baumgartner and Carmela Conroy: who will fill the seat being vacated for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers?
Either Republican Michael Baumgartner or Democrat Carmela Conroy will be a fresh face in the House of Representatives next year, as, for the first time in 20 years, Eastern Washington voters will not be asked whether they want to be represented in Congress by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
Michael Baumgartner and Carmela Conroy trade barbs on economy in Congressional debate
Economic woes were front and center as Michael Baumgartner and Carmela Conroy debated Tuesday night in their bid to represent Eastern Washington in Congress.
U.S. Senate debate: Cantwell and Garcia; U.S. House debate: Baumgartner and Conroy
Sen. Maria Cantwell and Dr Raul Garcia debate in a forum sponsored by The Spokesman-Review in partnership with KSPS, Gonzaga University, The Black Lens and the Washington Debate Coalition. After that (arround the 2-hour-22-minute mark), candidates for Washington’s 5th Congressional District, Michael Baumgartner and Carmela Conroy, take the stage.
Cantwell, Garcia and Baumgartner, Conroy will debate in Spokane on Oct. 8
The Spokesman-Review and Northwest Passages will host back-to-back debates between candidates for U.S. Senate and an open seat representing Eastern Washington in the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 8 at Gonzaga University.
McMorris Rodgers backs Baumgartner in bid to replace her in Congress
Retiring Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, broke her public silence on the crowded race to replace her in Congress, endorsing Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner after he emerged victorious during the August primary.
Let’s Go Washington offers cheap gas in bid to persuade voters to kill cap-and-trade system
For a brief moment at a single gas station in Spokane, gas was cheaper than in Idaho – clear evidence that election season has arrived in what is expected to be a contentious fight over four initiatives that supporters say will save Washingtonians major money and opponents argue will take billions from important programs.
In farewell to McMorris Rodgers, Fairchild summit showcases progress, pitfalls for military families
Military families and their advocates gathered at Fairchild Air Force Base on Wednesday to share resources, reflect on the progress they have made and highlight the barriers that still make it hard for troops and their families to access adequate food, housing, employment and education.
Most failed candidates for Congress lining up behind either Baumgartner or Conroy after primary
The race to represent Eastern Washington in Congress drew more candidates than most elections in the state this year – and now there are only two.