Michael Baumgartner

Michael James Baumgartner is a Republican politician representing Washington's 5th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born on December 13, 1975, in Pullman, Washington, he was raised in the Palouse region and developed a background in economics and public policy. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Washington State University and a Master of Public Administration in international development from Harvard University, where he also served as a teaching fellow. Baumgartner's professional history includes significant international service as a U.S. State Department economics officer at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and as a civilian counternarcotics advisor in Afghanistan. His domestic political career began in the Washington State Senate, where he served from 2011 to 2019. During his tenure, he was involved in efforts to establish the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and focused on labor and commerce issues. From 2019 to 2025, he served as the Spokane County Treasurer, overseeing a multibillion-dollar investment fund. In 2024, Baumgartner was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to succeed retiring incumbent Cathy McMorris Rodgers. He won the general election with approximately 61% of the vote and assumed office on January 3, 2025. In Congress, he serves on the Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, and Education and the Workforce Committees, focusing on issues such as fiscal discipline and regional infrastructure support.

Michael Baumgartner’s policy positions are rooted in fiscal conservatism and a focus on national security. He advocates for reduced government spending to curb inflation and supports a constitutional balanced budget amendment. On immigration, he is a proponent of strict border security and enforcement of existing laws to prevent illegal entry and the flow of illicit drugs. His foreign policy views prioritize American interests, particularly in safeguarding domestic assets and energy infrastructure from foreign entities like the Chinese government. In healthcare, Baumgartner supports a patient-centered, transparent system and has worked to secure funding for rural hospitals. He is a supporter of Second Amendment rights and advocates for local control in education. Regarding abortion, while expressing pro-life views, he has stated that individual states should determine their own abortion laws in accordance with the U.S. Constitution.