CAMPAIGN NEWS

The Spokesman-Review May 5, 2026 By Monica Carrillo- Casas and Garrett Cabeza Foreign policy is often a choice between “bad options” and “worse options,” Rep. Michael Baumgartner said Tuesday at a Davenport town hall. “I think doing what we’re doing right now in Iran is a bad option, but it’s not nearly as bad as the much worse option, which would be allow them to have nuclear weapons,” he said. Whether Iran or Ukraine, the Republican congressman supports President Donald Tru

May 4, 2026 By Seattle-Red Staff Rep. Michael Baumgartner is making it official. The Spokane Republican filed for reelection Monday, midway through a “12 Counties in 12 Days” listening tour that will take him to every county in Washington’s 5th Congressional District before the week is out. The announcement came with a first-term record he is clearly ready to run on. Baumgartner voted for the tax-cut package signed into law on July 4, 2025, making President Donald Trump’s cut

May 3, 2026 Reelection Filing Day- Spokane County Elections Office Approxmately 4 minutes OPENING It probably comes as no surprise: tomorrow, I’m officially filing for re-election tomorrow morning. I’m running to keep listening to Eastern Washington — and to keep bringing our values and concerns to Congress. We’ve had real successes these past two years. There is also work left to do, and a few things Washington, D.C. needs to get right. I’m always guided by the people of Eas

The Spokesman-Review | August 12, 2025 After returning from a weeklong congressional trip to Israel, Congressman Baumgartner reflected on the necessary preconditions for lasting peace in the Middle East. His firsthand observations reinforced the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship and America's role in promoting regional stability. Read the full article in The Spokesman-Review

The recent court ruling on the authority of the executive branch to impose import taxes has sparked significant reactions from state officials across the region. This decision, which clarifies the limits of executive power in setting import tariffs, has far-reaching consequences for regional trade dynamics, economic planning, and interstate cooperation. For a detailed overview, see the full article in The Spokesman-Review published on February 20, 2026. Regional trade port s

The Spokesman-Review | February 24, 2026 Following the State of the Union address, Congressman Baumgartner highlighted key achievements including violent crime hitting its lowest level in decades and illegal border crossings plummeting 96%. These results reflect the Administration's focus on public safety and border security that Baumgartner has championed since taking office. Read the full article in The Spokesman-Review

The Spokesman-Review | February 22, 2026 Congressman Baumgartner traveled to Germany to hear directly from traditional U.S. allies and push for increased European military spending. His trip underscored the importance of burden-sharing among NATO partners and the need for European nations to invest more in their own defense capabilities. Read the full article in The Spokesman-Review

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin | February 2026 In a deep-dive interview with the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, Congressman Baumgartner discussed his stance on border integrity and the critical importance of regional agriculture to Eastern Washington's economy. The conversation covered trade policy, farm support programs, and the unique challenges facing rural communities in the district. Watch the full interview

National Review | February 12, 2026 In a National Review op-ed, Congressman Baumgartner outlined five critical questions facing the Western alliance and U.S. security planning ahead of the Munich Security Conference. His piece addressed defense spending commitments, the future of transatlantic cooperation, and the strategic challenges posed by adversaries around the globe. Read the full article in National Review

The Spokesman-Review | February 11, 2026 Congressman Baumgartner credited stronger law enforcement support for a precipitous drop in murder rates. He has been a vocal advocate for backing law enforcement and ensuring communities across Eastern Washington have the resources they need to keep families safe. Read the full article in The Spokesman-Review

National Review | January 23, 2026 In a National Review op-ed, Congressman Baumgartner explained why the removal of the Maduro regime is a vital win for hemispheric security. He drew a direct line between narco-terrorism in South America and the fentanyl crisis devastating communities across the United States, including in Spokane and Eastern Washington. Read the full article in National Review

The Spokesman-Review | January 12, 2026 Congressman Baumgartner holds a strong fundraising and popularity advantage in the early 2026 field. Seven challengers have entered the race for Washington's 5th Congressional District, but Baumgartner's deep roots in Eastern Washington and proven track record in his first term give him a commanding position heading into the midterm cycle. Read the full article in The Spokesman-Review

The Spokesman-Review | January 11, 2026 Congressman Baumgartner discussed the implications of restoring energy stability following the removal of the Maduro regime in Venezuela. His analysis focused on the intersection of energy policy, hemispheric security, and the broader economic impacts for American consumers and producers. Read the full article in The Spokesman-Review

The Spokesman-Review | December 21, 2025 Congressman Baumgartner embarked on a Christmas week mission to advocate for international religious freedom, visiting Nigeria to highlight the persecution faced by religious communities around the world. His trip reinforced his commitment to defending human rights and religious liberty as core American values. Read the full article in The Spokesman-Review

National Review | December 17, 2025 In a National Review op-ed, Congressman Baumgartner called for a $150 billion increase in the military budget dedicated to rebuilding America's shipbuilding capacity. He argued that naval strength is essential to projecting American power and deterring adversaries in an increasingly contested global environment. Read the full article in National Review

Newsweek | November 18, 2025 Congressman Baumgartner championed a House vote to ensure transparency and justice for victims. The legislation reflected his ongoing commitment to government accountability and protecting the rights of those affected by federal policy decisions. Read the full article in Newsweek

National Review | November 2025 In a National Review op-ed, Congressman Baumgartner explained the direct link between South American organized crime networks and the fentanyl crisis devastating communities in Spokane and across the United States. He made the case that confronting the Venezuelan regime is essential to protecting the American homeland from narco-trafficking. Read the full article in National Review

The Olympian | October 2025 During the federal government shutdown, Congressman Baumgartner worked to reopen the government while holding the line against expanding subsidies for illegal immigrants. He advocated for a fiscally responsible approach that prioritized American workers and families while keeping essential government services running. Read the full article in The Olympian

The Hill | July 2025 In an op-ed published in The Hill, Congressman Baumgartner called on the Senate to stop foreign adversaries from buying influence at U.S. universities. He highlighted the national security risks posed by undisclosed foreign funding and advocated for greater transparency in higher education's financial relationships with foreign governments. Read the full article in The Hill

The Spokesman-Review | July 3, 2025 Congressman Baumgartner fought to include a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund in the House budget bill, securing critical resources for rural hospitals across Eastern Washington and the nation. The funding represents a historic investment in rural health care infrastructure and workforce development for underserved communities. Read the full article in The Spokesman-Review