Tavern Research
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
54%
Republican
Michael Baumgartner
Republican candidate for U.S. House in Washington
$42.6K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — WA-05 House winner?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
82%chance to win
$42.6KNOV 7, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age50 years old (Dec 13, 1975)
GenderMale
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LocationWashington
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationB.A., Washington State University (1999)
Notable personal detailsMichael James Baumgartner is a Republican U.S. Representative for Washington’s 5th Congressional District, serving in Congress since January 3, 2025. He previously served in the Washington State Senate (2011–2019) and as Spokane County Treasurer (2019–2025), and worked for the U.S. Department of State including service in Iraq and a counternarcotics advisory role in Afghanistan. He earned a B.A. from Washington State University and an M.P.A. from Harvard University.
SourcesShowHide
history.house.govfec.govbaumgartner.house.govcongress.govwikidata.orgdocquery.fec.goven.wikipedia.orgthecandidate.comlegilist.comspokesman.comleg.wa.govwikizero.orgelevatega.comvotebaumgartner.comgovinfo.govthemidtermproject.orgit.wikipedia.orgde.wikipedia.orgatr.orgcitizenportal.aiwashingtonstatestandard.comlegistorm.comeastwashingtonian.comiaproject.orgfox28spokane.comseattlemet.comcookpolitical.comseattletimes.comelectrepublicans.orgkhq.comwashingtonpolicy.orguschamber.comrangemedia.colocalcandidates.orgivoterguide.comnytimes.cominlander.comtri-cityherald.comkvi.comopb.orgapplevalleynewsnow.comchewelahindependent.comfacebook.comspokanedemocrats.orgreproductivefreedomforall.orghouse.govclerk.house.govballotready.orgfr.wikipedia.org
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports policies to keep taxes low and opposes new income-tax increases; emphasizes fiscal restraint, targeted tax relief for families and small businesses, and reduced government spending. Has signed pledges and advanced messaging framed as tax relief rather than tax increases.
Healthcare
Supports a patient-centered, affordable system that emphasizes individual choice, telehealth expansion, and fiscal responsibility; has voted for federal rural hospital support. Has expressed opposition to extending certain public healthcare benefits to undocumented immigrants and frames healthcare policy in terms of cost control and sustainability.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger enforcement and border security measures while also backing humanitarian protections in specific cases (for example, protections for Ukrainians). Has pushed state and federal officials to limit sanctuary policies and supported laws increasing detention/removal of certain noncitizen offenders.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports leaving abortion law to individual states rather than federal protection and has expressed opposition to abortion even in instances of rape or incest in past statements.
Climate & Energy
Supports domestic energy production including oil, natural gas, and hydropower infrastructure; defends regional dams as important for energy supply and local economy; favors market-driven energy approaches and opposes policies that would limit traditional energy development.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate affirms strong support for the Second Amendment, describing it as essential for personal freedom, hunting, and a safeguard against government tyranny. His campaign emphasizes public safety and support for law enforcement while framing gun rights as protected. No public source located states support for broad new federal gun‑control measures such as assault‑weapons bans or red‑flag restrictions.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedSep 2, 2026
Michael Baumgartner is in the news because he is running in Washington’s 5th Congressional District race, where Democrats are actively challenging him and local endorsements are starting to shape the contest. Recent coverage has focused on the crowded primary field, including reports of unusually high overvotes in the district’s mail-in primary. The race is drawing attention as part of the broader 2026 House battle.
history.house.gov+48
Articles
SSSpokane Spokesman-Review3 months ago
For Bajun Mavalwalla, running for Congress is personal
Neutral
WCWDIV ClickOnDetroit4 months ago
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Alabama's primaries
Neutral
SSSpokane Spokesman-Review1 month ago
Mail-in voting proved its value in Tuesday's primary
Neutral
SSSpokane Spokesman-Review2 months ago
Letters for Wednesday, July 22
Neutral
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$1.7M
$1.3M
$869.1K
$434.6K
$0
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2024
$1.5M
$191.6K
$1.3M
$54.7K
Cycle 2026
$1.7M
$953.8K
$976.0K
$51.4K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements