Michael Baumgartner
A candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 5 in the 2026 Washington Primary Election, Aug. 4
Party: Republican
Age: 50
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 Kennedy School in 2002 with a master’s degree in public administration.
Work experience: Worked as economic development adviser for the office of the Crown Prince of Dubai, 2002-2003. Worked for i4, a company that hoped to build a telecommunication network in Saudi Arabia, 2003-2005. Worked as Dubai-based business consultant for about a year. Worked as consultant for Hecla Mining related to gold mining in Venezuela for several months in 2006. Worked as economics officer for the U.S. State Department in Iraq, 2007-2008. 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 Congress in 2024. Serves on the Judiciary, Foreign Affairs and Education & Workforce congressional committees. 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.
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