Baumgartner Launches Reelection Campaign Discussing Iran Immigration and Big Beautiful Bill

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 Trump’s administration’s handling of recent foreign policy affairs.

Baumgartner expressed his views at town halls in Republic and Davenport this week as he campaigns for re-election.

Baumgartner held a Monday meeting at Republic Elementary School as part of a “12 counties in 12 days” tour across the 5th Congressional District.

Nearly 30 constituents were in attendance in Republic, while about 25 came out for the town hall at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Davenport on Tuesday.

“I do worry about the political polarization in America,” Baumgartner said Monday evening in Republic. “Just try to keep as friendly conversation as we can.”

Read the full article in The Spokesman-Review.