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D Democratic · U.S. House 5, Washington · Nov 3, 2026

Carmela
Conroy

Democratic challenger Carmela Conroy, former Foreign Service officer and prosecutor, runs for Washington's 5th Congressional District seat in 2026.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
24
positions
11
endorsements
17
conroy4congress.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)LinkedIn(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Michael Baumgartner R Compare race →

Background

Carmela Conroy is the Democratic candidate for Washington's 5th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, challenging Republican incumbent Michael Baumgartner. She is a third-generation Eastern Washingtonian who attended Central Valley High School in Spokane Valley and describes Spokane as her base. [7, 8, 15]

Before entering electoral politics, Conroy worked as a Spokane County deputy prosecutor and then served as a U.S. Foreign Service officer, with assignments that included Afghanistan, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, and Washington, D.C. She holds a B.A. in International Trade and Investment and a J.D. from the University of Washington, and an M.A. in Security Policy and Strategy from the U.S. Naval War College. [3, 10, 11]

Conroy has no prior elected public office. She chaired the Spokane County Democratic Party from 2022 to 2024 before launching her congressional campaign, whose slogan is "more problem-solving, less politics." [1, 3] She has been endorsed by the Spokane County Democrats for the 2026 general election. 21

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 5, Washington
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Website
conroy4congress.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 16
    news
    Washington general-election ballots scheduled to be mailed; Election Day is Nov. 3

    Ballots in Washington's general election, including the Conroy vs. Baumgartner race, are scheduled to be mailed beginning Oct. 16, with Election Day on Nov. 3, 2026.

    Here's everything you need to know ahead of Nov. 3 ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 11
    news
    Conroy has raised nearly $400,000 as of last available report; Powell endorsement noted

    The Spokesman-Review reported Conroy had raised nearly $400,000 as of the last publicly available filing, less than her $600,000+ 2024 total. The same report noted that Powell had endorsed Conroy, though the endorser's full identity and endorsement date were not specified.

    A lot has changed in two years. Will the Baumgartner vs. Conroy rematch? · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 10
    debate
    Conroy appears solo at Rock the Vote forum; Baumgartner does not attend

    Conroy discussed transgender-athlete sports rules and rural hospitals. On Medicaid cuts, she quoted a rural hospital CEO warning the hospital would be 'smothered to death in five to seven years.' Baumgartner did not attend.

    Rock the Vote brings hundreds to hear local candidates and live music · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 2
    news
    DCCC adds WA-05 to its target list; Conroy calls race 'poised to flip'

    The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added WA-05 to its list of competitive races. Conroy described the move as evidence that 'this race is poised to flip,' while Baumgartner disputed the framing.

    National Democrats target Eastern WA House race as 'in ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 30
    news
    Conroy outlines top priorities in candidate questionnaire

    Conroy listed prices and the farm economy, rural hospitals, and Spokane housing as priorities. She said she would work to end tariffs, reopen markets for Washington crops, restore food-aid programs, and strengthen rural health care.

    Baumgartner, Conroy outline their top 5th Congressional District ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 21
    endorsement
    Trump endorses Baumgartner and attacks Conroy over taxes

    President Trump endorsed Baumgartner and attacked Conroy over taxes. Conroy's campaign used the episode in a fundraising email, saying 'Trump knows this seat is in play.'

    Trump endorses Baumgartner, attacks Conroy, WA ‘millionaires tax' · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 21
    debate
    Conroy participates in second Walla Walla-area forum at Whitman College

    A separate forum covered affordability, immigration, debt, and election security. Conroy reiterated support for Medicaid access for people under 20 and traded barbs with Baumgartner.

    Baumgartner and Conroy trade barbs at second general ... · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 21
    debate
    Conroy speaks at Whitman College candidate forum in Walla Walla

    At a Walla Walla forum, Conroy called for expanding Medicaid access for youth from birth through age 19, argued legally present immigrants should have health care access, and said tariffs are a tax on importers. On data centers, she said free trade 'can't be at the expense of local communities.'

    Baumgartner vs. Conroy: Washington state's 5th ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Aug 4
    news
    Conroy advances to general election with ~19% of primary vote

    Carmela Conroy advanced to the Nov. 3 general election after receiving about 19% of the vote in the primary. Republican incumbent Michael Baumgartner led with about 47%.

    A lot has changed in two years. Will the Baumgartner vs. Conroy rematch? · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Center for Freethought Equality organization
    Listed in iVoterGuide's 2026 candidate profile; no endorsement date provided. ivoterguide.com
  • Spokane Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO union
    2026 endorsements page lists Conroy for CD-5; no announcement date stated. unionhall.aflcio.org
  • International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 751 union
    Listed as an endorser by the Tri-Cities voter guide and iVoterGuide; no date given. tricitiesvote.com
  • United Association Local 44 Plumbers and Steamfitters union
    Listed as an endorser by the Tri-Cities voter guide and iVoterGuide; no date given. tricitiesvote.com
  • Seattle Education Association union
    Listed as an endorser in iVoterGuide; no date stated. ivoterguide.com
  • National Women's Political Caucus organization
    Lists Conroy among its 2026 endorsed candidates; no specific endorsement date given. nwpc.org
  • Spokane County Democrats organization
    Listed Conroy as its endorsed candidate for CD-5 for the 2026 general election. spokanedemocrats.org
  • National Women's Political Caucus of Washington organization
    Lists Conroy as its general-election candidate for the 5th Congressional District in its 2026 endorsements; no date stated. nwpcwa.org
  • Sierra Club organization
    Named as an endorser in the Progressive Voters Guide; no date given. progressivevotersguide.com
  • Adam Smith, U.S. Representative official
    Listed as an endorser in iVoterGuide's candidate profile; no endorsement date given. ivoterguide.com
  • Ferry County Democratic Party organization
    Listed among her endorsers in iVoterGuide; no date provided. ivoterguide.com
  • Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO union
    Listed as an endorser in iVoterGuide and the Progressive Voters Guide; no endorsement date specified. ivoterguide.com
  • IBEW Local 73 union
    Listed as an endorser by the Tri-Cities voter guide and iVoterGuide; no date given. tricitiesvote.com
  • Laborers union
    Listed as an endorser by the Tri-Cities voter guide; no date given. tricitiesvote.com
  • National Education Association union
    Listed as an endorser in iVoterGuide; no date stated. ivoterguide.com
  • Foreign Policy for America (FP Action Network) organization
    Endorsement announced on September 22, 2026 per the FP Action Network endorsement statement page. fpactionnetwork.org · Sep 22, 2026
  • Washington State Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund organization
    Conroy announced the endorsement on July 31, 2026, on her X account. x.com · Jul 31, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$396K
Spent
$335K
Cash on hand
$74K

As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H4WA05168(opens in a new tab)

Sources 24

  1. [1] Conroy and Baumgartner disagree on the issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] Rock the Vote brings hundreds to hear local candidates and live music(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  3. [3] A lot has changed in two years. Will the Baumgartner vs. Conroy rematch?(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  4. [4] Carmela Conroy - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  5. [5] Spokane Regional Labor Council Endorsements 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  6. [6] Baumgartner vs. Conroy: Washington state's 5th ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  7. [7] Endorsements--2026 General Election - Spokane County Democrats(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  8. [8] progressivevotersguide.com › washington › 2026Washington - Progressive Voters Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  9. [9] National Democrats target Eastern WA House race as 'in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  10. [10] Baumgartner, Conroy outline their top 5th Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  11. [11] Baumgartner, Conroy outline their top 5th Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  12. [12] Here's everything you need to know ahead of Nov. 3 ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  13. [13] Carmela Conroy 2026 Endorsement Statement — FP Action Network(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  14. [14] 2026 Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  15. [15] Baumgartner and Conroy trade barbs at second general ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  16. [16] Trump endorses Baumgartner, attacks Conroy, WA ‘millionaires tax'(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  17. [17] VOTE 2026: CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE | Season 21(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026
  18. [18] Endorsed Candidates - National Women's Political Caucus(opens in a new tab) Aug 25, 2026
  19. [19] Carmela Conroy, Congressional Candidate WA-05 on ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 31, 2026
  20. [20] Carmela Conroy(opens in a new tab) Jul 30, 2026
  21. [21] Carmela Conroy outlines priorities in 5th District primary race(opens in a new tab) Jul 27, 2026
  22. [22] Q&A: District 5 candidates discuss affordability and inflation(opens in a new tab) Jul 11, 2026
  23. [23] Priorities - Carmela Conroy for Congress(opens in a new tab) May 9, 2026
  24. [24] Carmela Conroy • U.S. House District 5(opens in a new tab) Feb 22, 2026
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