Sen. Mike Baumgartner talks with Sen. Randi Becker Friday on the Senate floor.

OLYMPIA -- Spokane Sen. Mike Baumgartner is taking a fair amount of ribbing from colleagues today, not for a vote he took but for one that was taken on him, naming him among the Inland Northwest's Sexiest People.

This week's edition of The Inlander lists Baumgartner among 11 people the weekly believes deserving of the honor. Arguably, he is The sexiest, considering he's listed first. (And it's not an alphabetized arrangement, like the way the Senate votes that puts him first.) Photocopies of the spread were in good supply in the Republican wings before the floor session started.

The spread also lists his appropriately Republican Turn ons, the Federalist Papers, and Turn offs, Reckless government spending.

Baumgartner was handling it with good humor, calling the accolade "bemusing" and said it was fun to go with his wife for the photo shoot. (She had to help him come up with the appropriate romantic song.)

"It's a great opportunity to get a rare mention of the Federalist Papers in The Inlander," he said. "It is, by far, the best coverage I've ever got from them."

Having snagged the honor once, some might feel the pressure to repeat next year. He doesn't.  "Next year, I'll be nominating my wife," he said.

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