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Portrait of Michael BaumgartnerPhoto: unitedstates.github.io

WA · Officeholder

Michael Baumgartner

RU.S. Representative · WA-5

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. House · Washington's 5th District

Biography

Michael Baumgartner is the Republican incumbent in Washington's 5th District, elected in 2024 to succeed Cathy McMorris Rodgers. A Pullman native with an economics degree from Washington State University and a Harvard master's in public administration, he worked as a State Department officer in Baghdad before serving eight years in the Washington State Senate and six years as Spokane County Treasurer.[1][2][3]

Baumgartner was born in Pullman, Washington, in 1975. According to his campaign website, he grew up among the Palouse wheat fields in Colton and then Pullman, the son of two educators.[1][3] He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Washington State University in 1999 and a Master of Public Administration in international development from Harvard University in 2002. His campaign website says he spent a year volunteering with the Jesuits in Africa before Harvard, where he was a Teaching Fellow in Economics.[1][3][2] After working in private business in the Middle East, he served as a U.S. State Department officer at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, from 2007 to 2008, then as a counternarcotics advisor to a U.S. government-funded program in Afghanistan. He also worked as a part-time economic adviser to the U.S. military.[1][3][2]

Baumgartner was the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Washington in 2012, according to his campaign website.[3] He served in the Washington State Senate representing the 6th Legislative District from 2011 to 2019. His campaign website says he played a lead role in creating a WSU medical school in Spokane, in funding the North-South Freeway, and in a reduction in college tuition, and that his "Drain the Swamp" legislation eliminated five state agencies.[1][3][2] He then served as Spokane County Treasurer from 2019 to 2025, overseeing a roughly $1.9 billion fixed-income investment fund.[1][3]

Baumgartner was elected to the U.S. House in 2024 and took office in 2025. He serves on the Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, and Education and the Workforce committees, and his official site lists him as vice chair of the Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, chairman of the College Sports Caucus, and vice chair of the Republican Policy Committee.[1][4] His official biography lists honors including the Washington Policy Center's "Champion of Freedom Award" and the Inland Empire Society of American Foresters' "Legislator of the Year" award.[2] According to his official biography, he lives in Spokane with his wife, Eleanor, and their five children.[2]

  1. 1.Michael Baumgartner (Washington) · Ballotpedia Reference
  2. 2.About - Michael Baumgartner · Office of Rep. Michael Baumgartner (house.gov) Official record
  3. 3.Michael Baumgartner's campaign website (quoted) · Ballotpedia, quoting Michael Baumgartner's campaign website Candidate's own words
  4. 4.Committees and Caucuses - Michael Baumgartner · Office of Rep. Michael Baumgartner (house.gov) Official record

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.

On the ballot

Full candidate research ›U.S. House · Washington's 5th District ›

Also on the ballot for this seat

Carmela ConroyCandidateDU.S. House · WA-5Washington

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 5 of 463 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (5), Climate & energy (4), Foreign affairs & defense (1)

  • Amendment (Self) to H.R. 7567 — Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

    A yes vote adopted an amendment (Self) adding soda, defined as a carbonated beverage with over 1 gram of added sugar, sweetener or flavoring per serving, to the items SNAP benefits cannot buy. (AI-written)

    What it does: Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 This bill (commonly known as the farm bill) reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies Department of Agriculture programs that address commodity support, conservation, trade…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 29–183, Republicans 156–55

    Apr 30, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Crane) to H.R. 7006 — Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote adopted Amendment 2 to H.R. 7006, which would have struck the bill's provisions funding the National Endowment for Democracy. (AI-written)

    What it does: Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to several federal departments and agencies…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–210, Republicans 127–80

    Jan 14, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Perry) to H.R. 4553 — Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 32 to the Energy and Water appropriations bill, which strikes all funding for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (AI-written)

    What it does: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Rec…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–209, Republicans 127–87

    Sep 4, 2025Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Perry) to H.R. 4553 — Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 28 to the Energy and Water appropriations bill, which cuts $13,319,727 from the Northern Border Regional Commission and credits it to the spending reduction account. (AI-written)

    What it does: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Rec…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–211, Republicans 124–91

    Sep 3, 2025Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Perry) to H.R. 4553 — Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 27 to the Energy and Water appropriations bill, which eliminates the $35 million for Title 17 loan guarantee program administration and credits it to the spending reduction account. (AI-written)

    What it does: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Rec…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–210, Republicans 120–95

    Sep 3, 2025Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

S. 2403 · U.S. HOUSE

Retire through Ownership Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Retire through Ownership Act This bill allows the fiduciary of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to rely on a valuation provided by an independent valuation expert or business appraiser in determining the fair market value of the plan's securities if the securities are not traded on a national securities exchange (i.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 401–14·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9497 · U.S. HOUSE

Water Resources Development Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Water Resources Development Act of 2026 This bill authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes related requirements.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 415–9·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9340 · U.S. HOUSE

Ratepayer Protection Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 417–3·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.J.Res. 213 · U.S. HOUSE

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 214–208·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 10326 · U.S. HOUSE

PROOF Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act or the PROOF Act This bill requires states to provide such information as the Department of Justice (DOJ) may require for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting alleged fraud committed with regard to certain federally funded programs.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 217–207·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9576 · U.S. HOUSE

National Fraud Enforcement Division Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 This bill provides statutory authority for the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The division investigates and prosecutes fraud against taxpayer dollars and taxpayer-funded programs.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 352–72·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 5334 · U.S. HOUSE

An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments

A yes vote agreed to the Senate's amendments to H.R. 5334, which add Russia sanctions, higher duties and an Iran Sanctions Act extension to the early-childhood educator deduction, sending the bill to the president. (AI-written)

Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a tax deduction for teacher expenses to include early childhood educators.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Passed 262–159·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.Con.Res. 93 · U.S. HOUSE

Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran

NoVOTED

Motion: On Agreeing to the Resolution

This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 220–204·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗
H.J.Res. 210 · U.S. HOUSE

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 216–211·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9500 · U.S. HOUSE

Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9500, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act This bill expands the federal tax deduction for personal casualty and theft losses by eliminating certain limits, including the requirement that such losses arise from certain disasters.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 408–17·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 634 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.