Republican candidate Michael Baumgartner has successfully secured a seat in the U.S. House representing Washington state following an election held on Wednesday. This victory allows him to retain the open congressional seat for the Republican Party. Baumgartner, who is currently in his second term as the treasurer of Spokane County, previously served as a state senator. He emerged victorious against Democrat Carmela Conroy, who has experience as a deputy prosecutor in Spokane County.

Baumgartner’s election fills the position previously held by Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who has represented the area since 2005 and has chosen not to run for reelection. This congressional district stretches across the eastern region of Washington, extending from the Oregon border in the south to the Canadian border in the north. The announcement of Baumgartner’s victory was made by the media at 4:44 p.m. EST.