Baumgartner Mans the Washington State Booth after Gov. Ferguson Decided NOT to Participate

Baumgartner Mans the Washington State Booth after Gov. Ferguson Decided NOT to Participate June 27, 2026 | Press Releases Baumgartner calls on Gov. Ferguson to come to DC personally and man the booth himself. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) went down to the national mall to visit The Great American State Fair and man the Washington State booth in response to Governor Bob Ferguson actively declining to participate in the America250 celebration. Unlike states such as Idaho, which proudly showcased the best of what their state has to offer, and Arizona, whose exhibit drew a line of visitors waiting to get in, Washington’s display was noticeably bare bones. It featured only two rocking chairs, which were provided by the America250 organization rather than the state itself. Congressman Michael Baumgartner Visits The Great American State Fair on the National Mall “Washington is an incredible state, and it’s disappointing that Governor Ferguson chose not to showcase it at the Great American State Fair,” said Congressman Baumgartner . “At a time when our state has high unemployment rates and some of the highest energy prices in the country, we need to be working to attract jobs and investment. This was a missed opportunity to promote Washington’s businesses, innovation, and people. It shouldn’t be about politics—it should be about celebrating our state and our country. If the Governor truly wants to support Washington, he should come to DC, on the Fourth of July and man the state’s booth himself,” he said. Washington State’s Empty Booth at The Great American State Fair “Unfortunately, Governor Bob Ferguson chose NOT to have Washington State officially participate in THE GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR, but I couldn’t let this stand, so I came down to man the nearly empty booth and show that not everyone in our state puts politics before celebrating our country,” said Congressman Baumgartner. Fun to stamp the “passports” – as long as everyone said, “Go Seahawks,” he added. Check out the Congressman’s video posts on X at the Washington State booth here versus the Idaho State booth here . Unfortunately Governor Bob Ferguson chose NOT to have Washington State officially participate in THE GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR, but I couldn’t let this stand, so I came down to man the nearly empty booth and show that not everyone in our state puts politics before celebrating our… pic.twitter.com/SWkWK6579d — Congressman Michael Baumgartner (@RepBaumgartner) June 27, 2026 It’s really bugging me that Idaho (w a less than 3% unemployment rate and $1 cheaper gas) has a so much better booth than the sad and empty Washington (+5% unemployment and biz leaving) because our Democrat Governor choose not to participate in celebrating America! WA is a… pic.twitter.com/smuCwGA7CT — Congressman Michael Baumgartner (@RepBaumgartner) June 27, 2026