Washington Congressman Michael Baumgartner, center left, is sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 3, 2025, joined by his wife Eleanor and their children, and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana. Baumgartner, a Republican, is beginning his first term representing eastern Washington’s 5th Congressional District. (Photo courtesy of Michael Baumgartner)
Republican Michael Baumgartner and Democrat Emily Randall became Washington’s newest representatives in Congress on Friday afternoon.
They were sworn in following the session’s first political drama — election of the House speaker — that found the newcomers on opposite sides…