As election day approaches, candidates of Washington’s 5th Congressional District took to the stage at WSU Monday evening to win over the voters of Eastern Washingtonians.
WA-05 has been occupied by Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) since 2005. As she gives up her bid for re-election, the vacancy allows for new faces to enter the race.
Two candidates, Carmela Conroy (D) and Michael Baumgartner (R), have participated in a series of debates in order to expand on their policy stances and gain support.
Conroy, despite never serving in an elected office, has substantial experience within the federal government. She served as a foreign service officer for over a decade in New Zealand, Japan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Before her career with the Department of State, she spent almost four years as the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Spokane County. When asked what the top issues she hears constituents voice concerns about, she said freedoms (including reproductive healthcare), affordability and common sense bi-partisan solutions.
Baumgartner, a Pullman native, has spent eight years as a Washington State Senator for District 6. During the debate, he highlighted his accomplishments as a senator, including the creation of the WSU Spokane Medical School and the reduction of tuition prices. He was also previously a diplomat in the Middle East and currently serves as the Treasurer for Spokane County.
Baumgartner said the top issues he hears from constituents are concerns about immigration, the cost of living and the maintenance of dams on the Snake River.
During the debate, Cornell Clayton, Foley institute director and the debate’s moderator, posed a question about abortion.
“To what extent should the government be involved in these decisions?” Clayton said.
Baumgartner said he is a pro-life Catholic, but that was not a motivator for him seeking election. He said abortion is not in the constitution and should be left to the states, so the federal government has a limited role in the matter.
Conroy said this is an issue she and her constituents are highly concerned with. She also highlighted concerns for wider privacy violations that could follow as a result of the decison in Dobbs v. Jackson, including restrictions on IVF, birth control and marriage equality. She said she will fight to reinstate abortion rights for Americans.
Student debt was a hot topic given the setting of this debate.
“I do not support a unilateral decision to eliminate student debt,” Baumgartner said.
He stressed the importance of prioritizing lowering the cost of education, rather than forgiving student debt, and said that the burden should not be placed upon taxpayers and blue collar workers.
Conroy, on the other hand, said she supports student debt relief.
“Investing in education is the best thing we can do for ourselves and for our family and for our country,” Conroy said.
She also highlighted the need for better education choices for those entering community college or apprenticeship programs.
Childcare was an issue where the candidates found some middle ground. Baumgartner and Conroy support a federal tax credit for guardians in order to lessen the financial impact of raising children. Both candidates also expressed the need for reduced regulations on home childcare facilities and looser remote work regulations as means to reduce the burden on families.
The full debate, hosted by KHQ’s Morgan Ashley and WSU’s Cornell Clayton, can be found on KHQ’s website. The last debate between the two candidates will be hosted by KREM2 at 7 p.m. on Oct. 30.
