State Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) returns to his alma mater and hometown Monday, April 23, for a 1 p.m. fireside chat in the Honors Hall Lounge. In addition to Honors students, the WSU community is invited to drop by.
Baumgartner (’99 Economics and Honors College) represents the 6th District in Olympia, where he is the ranking Republican on the Senate Economic Development, Trade, and Innovation Committee. He’s also a member of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
While at WSU he was named a Foley Scholar and received the S. Town Stephenson scholars award from Honors. He earned his MPA in interational development from Harvard University, where he was a teaching fellow in economics.
Prior to launching his political career in 2010, he was a diplomat and business consultant, having served as an Economic Affairs Officer with the U.S. State Dept. in Iraq. He continues to work part time as an economics advisor to the U.S. military.