KM* MP | Candidates for Washington’s 5th Congressional District debate at WSU – The Daily Evergreen

*I’ll add a photo in a few minutes – KM

As Election Day approaches, candidates from Washington’s 5th Congressional District took the WSU stage Monday night to win over Eastern Washington voters.

WA-05 has been manned by Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) since 2005. As she abandons her bid for re-election, the vacancy allows new faces to enter the race.

Two candidates, Carmela Conroy (D) and Michael Baumgartner (R), have participated in a series of debates to deepen their policy positions and gain support.

Although Conroy has never held elected office, he has extensive 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, she spent nearly four months at the State Department 4 *spell – KM Years as an assistant district attorney for Spokane County. When asked about the top issues she is seeing voters raise concerns about, she cited freedoms (including reproductive health care), affordability and bipartisan, common-sense solutions.

Baumgartner, a Pullman native, spent 8 *spell – KM Years as a Washington State Senator for District 6. During the debate, he highlighted his accomplishments as a senator, including founding the WSU Spokane Medical School and lowering tuition. He also previously served as a diplomat in the Middle East and currently serves as treasurer for Spokane County.

Baumgartner said the top issues he hears from voters are concerns about immigration, the cost of living and maintaining the Snake River dams.

During the debate, Cornell Clayton, director of the Foley Institute and debate moderator, asked a question about abortion.

“To what extent should the government be involved in these decisions?” Clayton said.

Baumgartner said he was a pro-life Catholic, but that wasn’t a motive for him to run. He said abortion is not in the Constitution and should be left to the states, leaving the federal government with a limited role in the issue.

Conroy said this is an issue that greatly concerns her and her constituents. She also highlighted concerns about broader data breaches that could result Dobbs *full case name for context – KM Decision, including restrictions on IVF, birth control and marriage equality. She said she would fight to restore abortion rights to Americans.

Given the backdrop of this debate, student debt has been a hot topic.

“I do not support a unilateral decision to eliminate student debt,” Baumgartner said.

He stressed the importance of prioritizing reducing education costs over canceling student debt, saying the burden should not be shifted to taxpayers and workers.

Conroy, however, said she supports canceling student debt.

“Investing in education is the best thing we can do for ourselves, for our families and for our country,” Conroy said.

She also emphasized the need for better educational choices for those attending community college or training.

Childcare was an issue on which the candidates found a middle ground. Baumgartner and Conroy support a federal tax credit for guardians to reduce the financial impact of raising children. Both candidates also expressed the need to reduce home child care regulations and relax remote work regulations to ease the burden on families.

The full debate, moderated by KHQ’s Morgan Ashley and WSU’s Cornell Clayton, can be found on the KHQ website. The final debate between the two candidates will be moderated by KREM2 on October 30th at 7 p.m