U.S. Representative District 5 in Congressional District 5, Washington

2026 Primary Election

• Nate Powell — Firefighter in Spokane, WA

  Nate Powell is a Marine veteran, professional Spokane firefighter, and high school wrestling coach. Running as an Independent for U.S. Representative in Washington's 5th Congressional District, he aims to advocate for workers and promote environmental action. Powell believes government should respect the hard work of its citizens. He is endorsed by several firefighter unions and a fund supporting working-class independents, challenging the current Republican Congressman.

• Carmela Conroy — Candidate for U.S. Representative in Spokane, WA

  Carmela Conroy is a third-generation Eastern Washingtonian, born and raised in Spokane. A former Spokane County deputy prosecutor and U.S. Foreign Service officer with 25 years of diplomatic service across Asia, Europe, and the Pacific, she gained national recognition for crisis management. Conroy previously chaired the Spokane County Democrats. She advocates for an economy that works for Eastern Washington, lower everyday costs, family support, and investments in infrastructure, alongside safe communities and a secure nation. Having run in 2024 for U.S. Representative for Washington's 5th Congressional District, she is campaigning again for 2026, driven by a belief that the region deserves strong representation.

• Matthew Hayes — Candidate for U.s. Representative in Spokane, WA

  Matthew Hayes is an Independent Party candidate running for U.S. Representative in Washington's 5th Congressional District, with the primary set for August 4, 2026. His campaign is built on principles of independence from the two-party system, emphasizing a "People-Powered" approach through grassroots donations and rejecting special interest influence. He advocates for anti-corruption measures, pledging transparency and accountability, and commits to running a civil campaign free of mudslinging. Hayes maintains an official campaign website where he outlines key issues and seeks community engagement.

• Bajun R. Mavalwalla — Retired Military in Valley, WA

  Bajun Mavalwalla, a Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Washington's 5th District, was born in Petaluma, California. He served over two decades in the U.S. Army, including combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, retiring to Valley, Washington. His background includes an internship for Congresswoman Barbara Boxer, Young Democrats leadership, and union work. He advocates for balancing environmental protection with local industries, a strong military but no troops on U.S. soil against U.S. persons, and improved border crossing hours with Canada. His son's arrest during a protest influenced his decision to run.

• Michael Mcgarr — Candidate for U.S. Representative in Spokane, WA

  Michael McGarr, a Democrat, is a candidate for the U.S. House representing Washington's 5th Congressional District in the 2026 primary election. He formally filed for the election on May 8, 2026. McGarr positions himself as a proponent of unity and bipartisan collaboration, believing that all Americans, including Republicans, should work together. He advocates for Congress to pass legislation that garners broad national support, rather than partisan laws that might be reversed later. Critical of conventional campaign tactics, McGarr aims to focus on substantive issues and foster cooperation among elected officials, seeking to avoid ideological divides and encourage more collaborative governance. He resides in Spokane, Washington.

• Kevin Fagan — Operations manager for environmental consulting firm in Spokane, WA

  Kevin Fagan is a 27-year-old Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative in Washington's 5th Congressional District, seeking to create a more affordable and livable future. A Spokane resident, he graduated from Los Gatos High School and earned a bachelor’s in sociology from Gonzaga University in 2021. He currently works as an operations manager for an environmental consulting firm and has prior political experience serving on Spokane’s Sustainability Action Subcommittee and Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board. Fagan is running to repair damage from the current administration by restoring Medicaid cuts, increasing Affordable Care Act subsidies, removing tariffs to lower grocery prices, and building housing. His campaign is driven by concern for the country's direction and a hopeful vision for the future. He is engaged to Mercedes Bischoff.

• Michael Baumgartner — Incumbent U.S. Representative in Spokane, WA

  Michael Baumgartner, a 50-year-old Republican, currently represents Washington's 5th Congressional District, serving his first term. Raised in Eastern Washington, he is a WSU and Harvard graduate who previously worked as a U.S. State Department economics officer in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also served eight years in the State Senate and six years as Spokane County Treasurer. Running for re-election in 2026, he emphasizes promises kept, including securing borders, lowering taxes, reducing crime, and protecting regional interests like the Lower Snake River Dams. He aims to ensure the 5th District remains a stronghold for the American Dream against the "Far Left."

• Kyle Usrey — Candidate for U.S. Representative in Spokane, WA

  Kyle Usrey is running as an Independent for U.S. House of Representatives in Washington's 5th Congressional District in the 2026 election. His campaign, Usrey-For-US, is dedicated to preserving community values, protecting interests, and restoring fiscal responsibility to the district. He aims to challenge the status quo and build a prosperous future for families. Usrey pledges to run a people-powered, anti-corruption, and civil campaign, accepting funds from grassroots donors and rejecting special interest influence. He believes in a government that works for the people, not above them, and is actively holding campaign events in the district.

• Andrew Bartleson — Candidate for U.s. Representative in WA

  Andrew Bartleson is an Independent candidate running for the U.S. House to represent Washington's 5th Congressional District in the 2026 primary election. His campaign focuses on anti-corruption, advocating for accountability and an end to insider trading. Bartleson champions economic affordability by strengthening anti-trust laws and eliminating dynamic pricing, while also supporting explicit data protection legislation. He proposes universal healthcare, asserting its affordability through reallocation of existing funds. Bartleson positions himself as a representative focused on constituents rather than party lines, committed to an independent, people-powered, anti-corruption, and civil campaign.

• Ann Marie Danimus — Small business owner and consultant in Spokane Valley, WA

  Ann Marie Danimus is an Independent candidate for U.S. Representative in Washington’s 5th Congressional District. A Washingtonian who has lived in Spokane for nearly 40 years, she brings a perspective rooted in Eastern Washington, describing herself as a small business owner and consultant. She is running because she believes career politicians and both major parties are failing working families, leading to rising costs for groceries, gas, housing, and healthcare. Pledging to take zero corporate PAC money and never join a party caucus, Danimus aims to fight for constituents and opposes corporate politicians. A double organ transplant survivor, she supports congressional term limits.

• Richard Freudenberg — Candidate for U.S. Representative in Liberty Lake, WA

  Richard Freudenberg is a Democratic Party candidate vying for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Washington's 5th Congressional District. He is slated to appear on the ballot for the primary election scheduled for August 4, 2026. His campaign actively seeks support through volunteer engagement and contributions, and he maintains an online presence detailing his platform and events. Freudenberg has received an endorsement from the Spokane County Democrats in his bid for Congress.

• David Womack — Retired Air Force Colonel and Healthcare Executive in Walla Walla, WA

  David Womack, a retired Air Force colonel and healthcare executive, is running as a Democrat for U.S. Representative for Washington's 5th Congressional District in 2026. He served 26 years in the Air Force, retiring as a Medical Group Commander, and holds graduate degrees from Baylor, Air Force War College, and Harvard Business School. Womack has extensive experience as a rural hospital CEO and managing urban health systems. A Walla Walla resident, he has led community efforts, including the Alliance for the Homeless. Emphasizing integrity, service, and excellence, Womack believes current leadership is lacking. His platform prioritizes affordable healthcare, childcare/elder care, economic stability, housing, and agriculture. He aims to leverage his military and civilian experience to address community needs and counter perceived government corruption, independent of special interests.