Name & Occupation: Michael Baumgartner, U.S. Representative (WA-05)
Previous Positions held: English Teacher & Women’s Basketball Coach, Catholic University of Mozambique; Teaching fellow at Harvard; Project Manager, Executive Office of Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Consultant, U.S. State Department officer; Member of the Washington State Senate; Adjunct Lecturer at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, Spokane County Treasurer.
How has that mix of experience shaped how you approach legislating? My time with the U.S. Department of State, the Washington State Senate, and Spokane County gave me firsthand experience at the federal, state, and local levels of government. That perspective matters in Congress, because many bills don’t just affect federal law — they ripple into state and local law as well.
America is about to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. What does that day mean for you? September 11, 2001, set me on the path to a career in public service and foreign affairs. The Global War on Terror shaped an entire generation of Americans, including me, and inspired me to dedicate my career to serving our country. In the years that followed, I served as a diplomat in Iraq and a civilian adviser in Afghanistan, working alongside courageous American service members and our allies in some of the world’s most challenging environments. My service in the Afghanistan also changed my life in deeply personal ways: It was there that I met my wife, and together we began the family that has been life’s greatest blessing. As America approaches the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I remember the nearly 3,000 innocent people murdered that day, honor the first responders and service members who answered the call, and reflect on the extraordinary sacrifices made in defense of our country. For me, 9/11 is both a solemn national anniversary and a reminder of how profoundly that day shaped the course of my own life, and the lives of an entire generation.
Who has most influenced your leadership style? John F. Kennedy reminds me of the importance of strong national security, keeping the homeland safe, and answering the call to public service. Theodore Roosevelt embodied American strength, optimism, and a belief that the West was a place of opportunity worth investing in. His commitment to conservation, infrastructure, and the development of the American frontier continues to resonate with me as I represent Eastern Washington. Ronald Reagan demonstrated the power of conservative principles, free markets, limited government, and confident American leadership on the world stage.
Finally, what one bill or initiative would you most like to see Congress pass for your constituents? I came to Congress to fight for a brighter future for Eastern Washington and to leave a better world for my five children. Right now, America is spending $7 trillion against just $5 trillion in revenue, and we have to rein in reckless government spending to safeguard the country’s future.