Michael Baumgartner

In the 2024 House race for WA-5, Michael Baumgartner (R) won with 60.6% of the vote, defeating Carmela Conroy (D) who received 39.3%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Michael Baumgartner's 21.3-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2012 Senate race for WA Senate seat, Maria Cantwell (D) defeated Michael Baumgartner (R) 60.5% to 39.5%. Maria Cantwell received 1,855,493 votes compared to 1,213,924 for Michael Baumgartner, a dominant 20.9-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2012 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.