Local Congressman Stops in Stevens County
Published in the Statesman-Examiner by Bruce Rushton
U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) said he has had his differences with the president on such matters as tariffs and Donald Trump’s criticisms of the pope. But the first term congressman painted an optimistic picture on May 4 during a visit to Kettle Falls, which was part of a weeklong campaign through 12 counties in his district.
“I think we’re doing well in Washington, D.C.,” Baumgartner told his audience of 15, several of them local government officials and not many more people than he will face in the Aug. 4 primary election.
By week’s end, a dozen challengers, including seven Democrats and five Independents, had filed to run against Baumgartner, according to Washington Secretary of State records. The incumbent has raised more than $1.4 million, according to Federal Election Commission files, nearly as much as he raised to win his office in 2024.
In Kettle Falls, Baumgartner talked about growing up in Colton and his background as a forester. During his visit, lasting less than 30 minutes, he asked as many questions as he received, inquiring about education in Kettle Falls and inviting his audience to tell him what issues were important to them.
“Got anything you need help with?” he asked the group.
Attendees inquired about why Washingtonians are paying some of the nation’s highest gas prices, and Baumgartner responded by blaming Democrats in state government.
“There’s this really stupid law that Olympia passed, the Climate Commitment Act,” Baumgartner said. “It’s killing rural Washington, what they have done. The reason they did it is, they want to make it so expensive for you to drive a gas-powered vehicle that you have to go to an electric vehicle – that’s why they did it. In the meantime, they can take the money and give it away to their friends.”