Ads, Lies, and the 5th District Race | Spokane News

Spokane News Today | 2 Min | The Daily News Now! · Aug 2, 2026 · 2m

The race for Washington’s 5th District is a whirlwind of ads, accusations, and misleading claims as incumbent Michael Baumgartner faces off against independent challenger Nate Powell — backed by super PACs — amid a crowded field including Bajun Mavalwalla and Carmela Conroy. Voters are drowning in messaging that attacks Baumgartner’s ties to Trump, his voting record, and economic policies, while also highlighting personal backgrounds — often without context or accuracy. Both campaigns weaponize donor data, painting each other as beholden to secretive or wealthy interests, even as Powell’s own…