About Michael
Michael Baumgartner was first elected to Congress in 2024, taking the oath of office in January 2025.
Born in Pullman and raised in Colton, Michael Baumgartner is deeply rooted in Eastern Washington. The son of a public-school teacher and a Washington State University forestry professor, he grew up with a strong respect for hard work, education, and the land.
A proud WSU Cougar, Michael earned his degree in economics from Washington State University as a Foley Scholar before completing a Master of Public Administration at Harvard, where he also served as a teaching fellow.
Michael served as a U.S. State Department economics officer at the US Embassy in Iraq and worked on civilian counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan on behalf of the US Government. Earlier in his career, he worked summers with the U.S. Forest Service and spent a year as a Jesuit volunteer in Mozambique teaching at the local university and working with refugees.
Back home, Michael was elected to the Washington State Senate in 2010, defeating an incumbent Democrat. He spent eight years as a State Senator, for six of which he helped lead a Republican majority coalition while cutting college tuition, lowering taxes, and supporting the creation of the WSU Medical School in Spokane. He later served six years as Spokane County Treasurer, where he increased transparency and oversaw a $2 billion public investment fund to earn returns for taxpayers.
In 2024, Michael won a highly competitive primary and general election, earning 61% of the vote to represent Eastern Washington in Congress. Sworn in on January 3, 2025, he now serves on the Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, and Education and Workforce Committees.
In Congress, Michael has championed the Snake River dams, hydropower, Fairchild Air Force Base, and the Columbia Basin water resources, while voting to reduce taxes and cut needless regulation.
In Congress, Michael is focused on strengthening national security, securing the border, reducing the cost of living, and promoting economic growth across Eastern Washington.
Michael has traveled to more than 80 countries and brings a global perspective to his work. He and his wife, Eleanor, live in Spokane with their five children, keeping busy with school, sports, scouts, music and the outdoors.
Members of the House are responsible for introducing and voting on federal legislation, representing the interests of their constituents, and providing oversight of the executive branch. Key powers include drafting bills, serving on committees, approving the federal budget, and voting on matters of national policy, including declarations of war and presidential impeachments.