Michael Baumgartner
Michael Baumgartner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Washington Senate from the 6th district | |
| In office 2010–2014 | |
| Preceded by | Chris Marr |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Pullman, Washington |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Eleanor Baumgartner (née Mayne) |
| Residence | Spokane, Washington |
| Alma mater | Washington State University, Harvard University |
| Occupation | United States Military Economic Advisor, State Department Embedded Counternarcotics Advisor |
| Website | Campaign: www.VoteBaumgartner.com |
Michael Baumgartner is a Republican member of the Washington State Senate.
Early life, education, and career
Michael Baumgartner was born in Pullman. His mother is a Kindergarten teacher and his father was a professor of Forestry and Natural Resource Sciences. After graduating from Pullman High School, he earned a scholarship to attend Washington State University's Honors College. There, he was awarded a Thomas Foley scholarship, and was named a Stephenson scholar, an award given to the top graduates from the Honors Colelge . He graduated in 1999 with a degree in Economics with minors in French and Mathematics. In 2002, he earned a Masters degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.
He taught classes at Harvard. He also gave social support to underprivileged children and mentally-ill adults in Mozambique, Africa. He volunteered as a researcher on environmental science teams with the US Forest Service. During the Iraq War, he served as the Economics Officer in the Office of Joint Strategic Planning & Assessment (JSPA) at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, helping the Iraqi government as part of the Baghdad Security Plan, receiving accolades from then General David Petraeus as well as Ambassador Ryan Crocker,[1]. In 2008, he spent 7 months working as a civilian contractor in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. That same year, the Boston Globe referred to Baumgartner as the "Architect of Hope" in the Middle East.[2][3]
Washington State Senate
Baumgartner represents parts of the City of Spokane (see map http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/ralphieparker76/redistricting/D6-2002.gif), Airway Heights, and Cheney including Eastern Washington University.
2010 Elections
In late 2009, Michael Baumgartner decided to run against Democrat State Senate Majority Whip Chris Marr for the Washington State Senate, 6th Legislative District seat. On August 17th, 2010, in the state primary election, Michael Baumgartner beat Senator Marr with 53% of the vote.[4] In the November election, he officially defeated Marr with 54% of the vote.[5] The election battle between Marr and Baumgartner is considered one of the most hotly contested and expensive state legislative races in Washington state history.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Baumgartner | 33,929 | 53.71 | ||
| Democratic | Chris Marr (Incumbent) | 29,237 | 46.29 | ||
Tenure
During his tenure as Washington State Senator, Baumgartner has sponsored keynote legislation such as an amendment to the Washington State Senate to rise Higher Education to the State's #2 focus, reorganizing and streamlining central service functions, powers, and duties of the State Government, and reforming the rule-making process for State Economic Policy (the latter two receiving 47-0 votes in the State Senate).[6]
Committee assignments
He is the ranking minority member of the Economic Development Trade & Innovation Committee, and serves on the Ways & Means Committee, as well as the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee. [7]
Awards and Recognition
In 2012, Senator Baumgartner was named one of the National Federation of Independent Business's Guardians of Business, the highest award they offer, in recognition of his votes that side "100 Percent" with small businesses. [8] The Association of Washington Business has awarded him their 'Cornerstone Award' also, in recognition of his support for employers, economic development, and business-related issues in the Washington State Legislature. [9]
2012 U.S. Senate Election
In October 2011, Baumbartner decided to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). Cantwell is running for her third term.[10]
References
- ^ "Honors College: Michael Baumgartner". Honors.wsu.edu. 2006-02-14. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ "What I'd rather read - The Boston Globe". Boston.com. 2008-06-02. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ "Vote Michael Baumgartner for US Senate". Baumgartnerforsenate.com. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ "WA State Senate District 6 - Open Primary Race - Aug 17, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ "WA State Senate District 6 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ "Bill Sponsorship". Leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ "Baumgartner". Leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ http://www.nfib.com/nfib-in-my-state/nfib-in-my-state-content?cmsid=59970
- ^ http://www.senaterepublicans.wa.gov/news/2012/baumgartner/040212cornerstone.htm
- ^ "Washington - Oregon - Idaho". Nwcn.com. 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2012-07-05.