National Democrats target Eastern Washington House race as 'in play'

Anumita Kaur, The Seattle Times on Oct 2, 2026

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WASHINGTON — National Democrats on Friday tapped the race between Republican Rep. Michael Baumgartner, of Spokane, and Democrat Carmela Conroy as a “race in play,” signaling that the party views an opportunity to flip a House seat in Eastern Washington in its pursuit of House control.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in a statement Friday morning indicated that Washington’s 5th Congressional District represents a competitive district held by a “vulnerable” Republican.

“Michael Baumgartner is another out-of-touch politician. Baumgartner has been a rubber stamp for reckless wars, devastating trade policies, and Donald Trump’s billionaires-first agenda that has made life unaffordable for Washingtonians, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Rep. Suzan DelBene, of Medina, said in a statement. "Washington deserves better, and that’s why voters will make sure he’s a one-termer come November.”

It is a bold declaration weeks before the November midterms in a reliably Republican district. President Donald Trump has consistently carried the district, and voters have routinely sent a Republican representative to Congress.

Republican candidates nationwide have faced increasing headwinds this campaign season. Midterm elections typically favor the party out of power and Trump’s approval rating has fallen to an all-time low amid simmering discontent around a protracted war in Iran and a high cost of living.

Baumgartner seeks a second term after winning the seat in 2024 after the retirement of longtime Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Baumgartner claimed 47% of the August primary vote, while Conroy captured about 19%.

"Michael Baumgartner won by 21 points. The DCCC can watch WA-05 all they want. They'll be watching him win," National Republican Campaign Committee spokesperson Christian Martinez said in a statement.

In a statement, Baumgartner said he was not surprised by the DCCC's support for Conroy, arguing she is aligned with national Democrats on the far-left, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. "I fought off out-of-state PACs in the primary and I’ll do it again because I represent Eastern Washington values, not Washington, D.C.,” he said.

Trump last month posted a video from the Oval Office to his social media platform praising the freshman incumbent. Trump called Baumgartner a “tremendous guy” and a “spectacular person” who has his “complete and total endorsement.”

Trump also attacked Conroy, a former longtime diplomat, describing her as a "far-left Democrat who is on the same side as the left-wing lunatics in Olympia who created brand new state income taxes all over the place.”

The Democratic challenger seized on the opportunity to fundraise: “Trump knows this seat is in play,” a Conroy campaign email said following Trump’s video. “He never gets involved in races until the GOP is in real trouble — and that’s why he’s paying attention to Eastern Washington today.”

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in its Friday statement argued that his share of the primary vote, “despite being the only Republican on the ballot in a Trump +11 district,” displays voters’ dissatisfaction with the incumbent’s record.

“It’s clear that WA-05 is in play and this race is poised to flip. Rep. Baumgartner has spent his time in Washington slashing healthcare and raising costs. Eastern Washington is ready for a change and for a leader who will put them first, not party bosses, Conroy said in a statement on Friday.