Michael Baumgartner
A candidate for State Senator, Legislative District 6 (NW Spokane County and NE Spokane) in the 2010 Washington Primary Election
Party: Republican
Age: 48
City: Spokane, WA
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: Elected to state Senate in 2010, unseating Democratic incumbent Chris Marr. 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. Has four children.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Baumgartner (R) | 21,263 | 53.30% |
| Chris Marr (D) | 18,630 | 46.70% |
Related Coverage
Baumgartner and Marr: Privatization
Washington state Sen. Chris Marr, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner discuss their positions on privatization of liquor sales and the state’s ferry system.
Marr changing TV ad that lacked disclosure
The state Public Disclosure Commission is warning state Sen. Chris Marr that he violated campaign law by failing to mention his Democratic Party affiliation in a TV ad. Phil Stutzman, the PDC’s director of compliance, said the commission won’t open a formal investigation because Marr’s campaign agreed to change the advertisement.
Baumgartner and Marr: Income tax initiative
Washington state Sen. Chris Marr, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner respond to the question, “Do you support Initiative 1098, which would create an income tax on individuals who earn at least $200,000 and lower the business and occupation tax and the state property tax?”
Marr and Baumgartner: North Spokane freeway
Washington state Sen. Chris Marr, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner respond to the question, “Would you support asking voters for a gas tax increase if it included money to extend the north Spokane freeway?”
GOP platform proves vexing in Spokane County
Much of the county Republican Party’s platform reflects longtime GOP values: Limited government. Gun rights. Lower taxes. An end to abortion. But some of the platform’s 120 policy statements make more-surprising calls, for, among other things: An end to no-fault divorce. A return to the gold standard. Tax incentives for the shoe and textile industry. U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Marr and Baumgartner: Raising taxes
Washington state Sen. Chris Marr, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner respond to the question, “Would you support raising taxes to balance the budget?”