Michael J. Baumgartner became Eastern Washington’s new Member of Congress on January 3, 2025 – bringing a new perspective to a position held for 20 years by his predecessor. He serves on the Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, and Education and Workforce Committees.

• Won 2024 Primary against 5 Democrats and 6 Republicans for open seat, then in general election received 61% of vote, outperforming President Trump by 10%.

• 2010-2016: Took and Kept Republican Majority in State Senate for Six Years.

• 2008-2009: Economic Advisor for State Department in Iraq and civilian  counternarcotics in Afghanistan.

• 2000s: Former Advisor, Crown Prince of Dubai, business consultant in Middle East and Latin America.

• Chair, State Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, 

•     Lowered Property and Business Taxes

•     Created New Medical School in Spokane

•     Passed Record $16 billion Infrastructure package

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Michael is well-traveled. He served as a US State Department Officer in Iraq and has visited more than 80 countries.

Michael and his British wife, Eleanor, met on a civilian counter-narcotics team in Helmand, Afghanistan. The couple live in Spokane and stay very busy chasing after their five children. 

Michael is a WSU alum and avid Cougar sports fan. While Treasurer, he became friends with famed WSU Coach Mike Leach, traveled abroad with him and taught a class “Insurgent Warfare and Football Strategy” at Mississippi State and Washington State. He is determined to see the NCAA reformed and for the federal debt to be sharply reduced.

Michael Baumgartner served as the Treasurer of Spokane County overseeing a nearly $1.9 billion fixed-income investment fund.

Michael holds a BA in Economics from Washington State University where he was a Foley Scholar and a MPA from Harvard University, where he was also a Teaching Fellow in Economics. 

He has worked for the US Forest Service and was a Jesuit volunteer in Mozambique for a year.