
Natalie Poulson
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Natalie Poulson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 3 - Pos. 2
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Spokane Community College, Spokane, AA, 2001
Gonzaga University, Spokane, BA, 2004
Whitworth University, Spokane, MA, 2007
WORK & MILITARY
Equip 210 Spokane, Teacher/Academic Director, 2025-2026
Faith Christan Academy, Teacher, 2023-2025
Spokane Public Schools, Education Specialist, 2004-2022
AFFILIATIONS
North Church, Small group leader, 2006-2025
Serve Spokane, Outreach Lead, 2008-2013
Blessings, Volunteer, 2022-2026
Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer, 2005-2006
World Relief, Volunteer, 2016-2019
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
District Leader for Spokane County Republicans, 2022-2026
Precinct Committee Officer, 2022-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
House of Representative in the 3rd Legislative District, position 2, 2022-
House of Representative in the 3rd Legislative District, position 2, 2026-
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Michael Baumgartner
Suzanne Schmit
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (9)
Bob McCaslin, Jr. (2022)
Ericka Lalka (2022)
Mark Schoesler (2022)
Mike Padden (2022)
Rob Chase (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe abortion should be limited, with exceptions for medical emergencies where the life or serious health of the mother is at risk.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Workers' fair wages & economic opportunity, while considering impact on small businesses, local employers & job growth. Need policies that encourage higher-paying jobs, economic growth & opportunities for workers without placing unsustainable burdens
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
I strongly agree. Free enterprise and private property rights are foundational to economic freedom, innovation, and opportunity. I believe a strong free-market system creates competition, encourages entrepreneurship, supports job creation, and helps build a thriving economy for families and communities across Washington State.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Reduce unnecessary regulations and restrictions on small businesses. Target waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer funds through stronger oversight and accountability. Establish fiscal and budgetary guardrails that require responsible spending and force prioritization of core government services. Increase transparency so taxpayers can clearly see how public money is being spent. Focus government resources on effective programs that produce measurable results for Washington families and communities.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
To me, separation of church and state means the government should not establish or control religion or interfere with an individual’s freedom to practice their faith. I believe the original intent was to protect religious liberty by keeping the state out of the church, not to remove faith or personal values from public life. People should be free to live out their beliefs while respecting the rights of others.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
I believe strongly in individual liberty and freedom of conscience. People should not be forced to violate deeply held moral or religious beliefs. At the same time, I believe disagreements should always be handled with kindness, respect, and compassion. As Christians, we are called to treat others with love and dignity, even when we disagree, while also protecting the freedom to live according to our beliefs.
HEALTHCARE
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.
I mostly with B, while recognizing the important role Medicaid & Medicare already serve. I believe healthcare access should be available for those in need while preserving private healthcare options, competition & patient choice. I do not believe a one-size-fits-all government system is the best answer, but I do believe there are practical solutions to improve affordability & access if we bring together experienced healthcare professionals, policymakers & innovators to work collaboratively.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Neutral
I believe healthcare data and research can help improve public health planning and resource allocation, but patient privacy and individual rights must always be protected. Any collection of medical information should have strict safeguards, transparency, and confidentiality standards in place. I do not support government overreach or misuse of personal medical information, and any system should prioritize protecting individual freedoms while responsibly improving healthcare outcomes.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
I believe protecting America’s national security must remain a top priority. That includes securing our borders, protecting American technology and intellectual property, strengthening cyber security, and ensuring foreign adversaries cannot undermine our economy or national interests. The President’s responsibility is to protect our nation both domestically and internationally, and I support strong efforts to keep Americans safe while maintaining stability and peace whenever possible.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
America's relationship with Israel is important both historically & strategically. Israel holds deep historical & religious significance to many people, including Christians & Jews. At the same time, I believe peace & stability in the region should always be a priority. Diplomatic efforts should protect American interests, promote peace & avoid unnecessary conflict whenever possible, while also recognizing that there are times when strong alliances & national security commitments matter.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
The US already has legal asylum & immigration processes in place for individuals fleeing violence, persecution or threats to their lives. Those protections should be handled through lawful federal immigration procedures. I believe states & local governments should cooperate with federal law enforcement & immigration laws rather than create policies that limit transparency or accountability. We can be compassionate while also maintaining secure borders, public safety & respect for the rule of law
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Disagree
Educational authority should return to states & local communities. Education is most effective when parents, teachers & local leaders have greater influence over decisions affecting students. Since created in 1979, increased federal involvement has only added bureaucracy without significantly improvement of student outcomes. Local communities are better equipped to understand the unique educational, workforce & cultural needs of their students while maintaining accountability closer to home.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely. American education should remain accountable to American families, communities, and national interests. Local communities should have the primary role in educating children based on the needs and values of their communities. Schools should focus on academics, critical thinking, and preparing students for success rather than political activism or outside influence. Foreign governments should not have financial influence over American educational priorities or curriculum decisions.
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
I strongly support parental rights. Parents have the primary responsibility and authority to guide their children’s health, education, and overall well-being. I believe children are entrusted to their parents, and the role of government should be to support families, not supersede them. Parents deserve transparency, involvement, and a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their children.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
I believe children should be protected from irreversible medical decisions before they are mature enough to fully understand the long-term consequences. Adults have the freedom to make personal medical decisions for themselves, but children are still developing emotionally, mentally, and physically. I believe young people should be supported with compassion and care without pressure to medically or socially transition, and that parents should play a central role in guiding those decisions.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, and my faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of my life. The Holy Spirit guides my decisions, and I believe we are called to love others, live faithfully, and share the hope of Christ. My walk with God deepened in my late 20s as I became more rooted in church community and prayer. As an educator, I strive to reflect Christ through compassion, service, and integrity. Mission work in Senegal, including serving alongside my daughter, strengthened my belief that every person is created in the image of God with purpose and value. I trust God’s guidance and believe He often works through prayer, community, and unexpected opportunities to direct our path.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
I believe election integrity is essential to public trust in our democracy. Washington should require proof of citizenship to register and remain registered to vote, and we should continue strengthening election security measures while ensuring lawful voters can easily participate. Protecting the constitutional right to vote also means protecting the integrity and fairness of our elections.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
I believe we must honestly acknowledge and learn from the injustices and tragedies of history so they are never repeated. However, I do not support reparations based on race. I believe current generations should not be held financially responsible for the actions of past generations. Instead, we should focus on policies that create opportunity, strengthen families, improve education, and support economic growth for all communities.
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.
Strongly Agree
I support protecting women’s sports and private spaces for biological females. Women fought hard for equal opportunities in athletics, scholarships, and protected spaces, and those opportunities should be preserved. Biological differences matter in competitive sports, fairness, and safety. I believe girls and women deserve fair competition and privacy in spaces such as locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and other sex-specific environments.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Neutral
We should be good stewards of the environment while also approaching climate policy with balance, transparency, and practical solutions. There are many differing viewpoints and ongoing debates surrounding climate change, energy policy, and environmental impacts. I support policies based on sound science, innovation, and realistic solutions that protect both the environment and working families without creating unnecessary economic burdens. Michael Shellenberger has done some sound research.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Reliable energy sources depend on region & natural resources available. Hydroelectric power has been a dependable, cost-effective & cleaner source of energy for generations. Approach should prioritize reliability, affordability, energy independence
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?
Conservative
My views emphasize limited government, parental rights, religious liberty, free enterprise, secure borders, election integrity, local control of education & support for traditional values. I believe government functions best when it protects constitutional freedoms, supports public safety & allows families, communities & businesses to thrive without excessive regulation or government overreach. I have a strong belief in personal responsibility, economic freedom, faith & community-based solutions
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
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The criminal justice system should protect public safety while promoting accountability, rehabilitation, and restitution when appropriate for victims and those harmed. I believe effective justice should reduce repeat offenses, support recovery and rehabilitation where possible, and ensure consequences for criminal behavior while helping restore safer communities.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Agree
The internet has created serious risks for children & government has a role in protecting minors from online predators, exploitation & abuse. At the same time, parents play a critical role in monitoring & guiding their children’s online activity. Children shouldn't have unrestricted access to the internet without safeguards, supervision & age-appropriate boundaries. Protecting children requires both responsible parenting & strong enforcement against those who exploit minors online.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
It is not the law of the land.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Strong support for Second Amendment & the constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to keep & bear arms. Also, reasonable safety measures can help protect public safety while respecting constitutional freedoms. Background checks should help prevent firearms from being purchased by convicted felons & individuals legally determined to pose a serious danger to themselves or others due to severe mental illness. Any restrictions must respect due process, protect the rights of responsible gun owner
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