5th Congressional District candidates discuss motivation for running

SPOKANE — Twelve candidates, including incumbent Michael Baumgartner, are running for the seat in the Fifth Congressional District, which includes part of Adams County.  

Baumgartner is being challenged by Nate Powell, Spokane; Carmela Conroy, Spokane, Matthew Hayes, Spokane; Bajun Mavalwalla, Valley; Michael McGarr, Spokane, Kevin Fagan, Spokane; Kyle Usrey, Spokane; Ann Marie Danimous, Spokane Valley; Richard Freudenberg, Liberty Lake; and David Womack, Walla Walla. 

The Columbia Basin Herald sent questions to all candidates, six of whom responded by the deadline. Each candidate was asked the same three questions, with a request to limit their answers to 150 words. Their answers to each question will run over the next few days. The responses to the first question are below.  

What made you decide to run for Congress? 

Nate Powell: I was raised in Spokane's Logan neighborhood, the son of a firefighter. Two weeks after graduating high school, I enlisted in the Marine Corps and completed two deployments. 

I came home on the GI Bill and became a firefighter myself, serving the same neighborhood I grew up in for 14 years. Every shift gives me a front-row seat to the collapse of the middle class: five overdoses in one day I can’t bring back, families living in detached garages, neighbors rationing medication they can’t afford. Things are getting worse, and this is not the future I want to raise my daughter in. I'm done waiting for the politicians who got us here to get us out. I'm not a career politician. I'm a Marine veteran and a firefighter who's used to stepping up in emergencies. This is one. 

Andrew Bartleson: My daughter inspired me to run for Congress. I’d spent too much time ruminating on the problems we’re enduring. The future looked bleak for the young folk. People are left feeling overwhelmed and helpless when out-of-touch representatives continually look out for the interests of everyone but their constituents. So we decided it’s time to walk the walk. With the assistance of my daughter, I’m running for Congress in the first election she’s eligible to vote in. Elected Republicans intentionally left 2 letters out, it should be Americans first, the people, instead they support (corporate) America first! 

Kevin Fagan: I am running because our system prioritizes corporations and billionaires  over everyday constituents. I represent people, not special interests, which is why I refuse all corporate PAC money now and will continue to do so in office. 

Carmela Conroy: I'm a third-generation Eastern Washingtonian. My grandfather laid stone at Grand Coulee Dam. My dad did ranch work before he became a union railroader. My mom worked for Ma Bell. They taught me to show up for people and to do the work. 

When I retired from public service and came home for good, I saw Eastern Washington getting shortchanged. Housing, childcare, and prescription costs keep climbing. Rural hospitals are struggling to stay open. Veterans aren't getting what they were promised. Young people can't afford to stay near their family. Our representative picks fights instead of solving problems. 

My first ambassador in Tokyo was Tom Foley, the last Democrat from Eastern Washington to hold this seat. He told me the job of every public servant is to find solutions for the people you represent. I'm running because the Fifth deserves someone who shows up, listens, and does the work. 

Michael McGarr: I decided to run for Congress because all I see is one party pursuing its agenda and ignoring or thwarting the other, depending on which one is currently in power. The current Republican plurality is 48.3% of the vote. Not even half the country, and yet they won't reach across the aisle. I worry that Democrats will act the same way should they regain control. Both parties must work together. Progress, not a pendulum. I also think most campaigns are based on fear, not hope. And too much money is spent. 

Matthew Hayes: I am running for Congress because I believe our democracy is in danger. I love our country. I must do my part to help our democracy.