

Michael Baumgartner
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael Baumgartner
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 5
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Pullman High/Gonzaga Prep, Pullman/Spokane, WA, High school, 1995
Washington State University, Pullman, WA, BA (Economics), 1999
Harvard Unversity (Kennedy School of Government), Cambridge, MA, Masters (Public Administration - International Development), 2002
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Knights of Columbus, Member, Catholic Diocese of Spokane
Contributor, St. Augustine's Church, Spokane, Contributor
WSU Medical School Advisory Board, Member, Union Gospel Mission
Contributor, BSA (Scouts), Contributor, volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Washington State Senator, 6th District, 2011-2018
Treasurer, Spokane County, 2019-current
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
US Senate, 2012
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Mark Schoesler
Dino Rossi
OTHER (1)
Rob McKenna Orrick
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Community leaders including Phil Altmeyer of Union Gospel Mission, Sen. Mike Padden, Sen. Dino Rossi, Dr Al Oliva, former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward, former WSU QB Jack Thompson, veterans’ advocate Wesley Anderson, Sen. Mike Hewitt, Sen. Jeff Holy, former WSRP Chair Susan Hutchison. Agriculture leaders including Sen. Mark Schoesler, Alex McGregor, Fred Fleming and Chris Schultheis. Former Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell, Asotin County Sheriff John Hilderbrand.
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (7)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2024)
Maia Espinoza (2024)
Duane Davidson (2020)
Rob Chase (2018)
Kevin Parker (2014)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
George Sevier (2018)
Jeff Holy (2018)
Mary Dye (2018)
Rob Chase (2018)
State Republican Party Organizations (2018)
OTHER INFORMATION
This article is a questionnaire from the candidate about his positions on a range of issues.
This article also lays out some of the candidate's positions.
Michael Baumgartner voted for SB 598, which included an 11.9 cents-per-gallon gas tax increase—gradually implemented beginning Aug. 1, 2015, and fully applied on July 1, 2016—and an increase in transportation-related fees, including those for overweight vehicles. The bill also permits Sound Transit residents to vote on a plan to increase taxes for an additional $15 billion in order to expand the region’s light rail system.
Michael Baumgartner voted for SB 5769 in 2011, a bill mandating that coal plants follow specified greenhouse gas emission standards.
Michael Baumgartner voted for SB 5722 in 2018, a bill banning “conversion therapy” for minors: A vote to concur with House amendments and pass pass a bill that prohibits licensed healthcare providers from performing conversion therapy on an individual under the age of 18.
Candidate signed the Term Limits Pledge.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Choose not to answer
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Choose not to answer
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Choose not to answer
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Choose not to answer
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Choose not to answer
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Choose not to answer
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Choose not to answer
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Choose not to answer
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Choose not to answer
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Choose not to answer
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Choose not to answer
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Choose not to answer
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Choose not to answer
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Choose not to answer
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Choose not to answer
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Choose not to answer
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Choose not to answer
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Choose not to answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Choose not to answer
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
.
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