Mavalwalla throws hat in ring as congressional candidate

NEWPORT - The idea of running for political office had crossed Bajun Mavalwalla’s mind before. He has been involved in politics since he was 18, getting his start as an intern for a retired United States Senator Barbara Boxer from California. He says that the decision to run for office against Michael Baumgartner, 5th congressional district representative, was certain when Mavalwall’s son, Bajun Mavalwalla II, was arrested as one of the Spokane 9 in June 2025.

Mavalwalla II was among those arrested on charges of alleged conspiracy to block the driveway of the ICE detention facility on West Cataldo Avenue during a protest.

Mavalwalla II has refused to plead guilty to the charges and faces up to six years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. “Obviously as a father it’s upsetting to see, but honestly I can’t see how anyone isn’t upset over the FBI arresting citizens for no other reason than exercising their First Amendment rights,” Mavalwalla said.

“It’s an abuse of power and an intimidation tactic towards citizens.”

Mavalwalla, a Democrat, pulled no punches toward incumbent Baumgartner during this interview, criticizing him for failing to serve the needs of his constituents in the 5th district, particularly agriculture and veterans’ healthcare.

“There used to be satellite clinics in Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties,” Mavalwalla said. “Now some veterans are looking at a three-hour drive to Spokane if they want full services. Why is it that way? It shouldn’t be that.

That is something our congressional rep should actively be working to restore, not just trying to stay in (Speaker of the House) Mike Johnson’s good graces.”

Mavalwalla said President Donald Trump’s administration’s reduction of the federal civilian workforce has hurt veterans and their families, especially those living in rural areas. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute, the Trump administration slashed 28,000 VA employees, including more than 2,700 nurses, 1,000 medical officers and 1,000 psychologists.

“You cannot look at cuts like that and claim that you are still able to provide people with the same level of service,” Mavalwalla said.

Born in California and raised in Petaluma, Mavalwalla served in the U.S. Army for over two decades and saw active combat with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. After retiring from the military, Bajun settled in Valley, Washington. He’s running against Democrats Carmela Conroy, Anthony Whisenhunt, Kevin Fagan, David Womack, Independent Ann Marie Danimus, Republican Anthony Jensen and Nate Powell, who has stated no party preference. The top two vote getters in the Primary Election Aug.

4, will run in the Nov. 3 General Election.

Mavalwalla says he is in favor of a lethal United States Armed Forces, but “You never use U.S. troops on U.S. soil against U.S. persons.”

He says the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be dismantled, with every ICE agent fired and their devices confiscated and sent to the FBI to be investigated for criminal activity. He says the agency should have all its critical missions handed over to government entities the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Border Patrol, FBI, or the U.S. Marshals Service.

“I’m in favor of the entire Bill of Rights…that protects the rights of all citizens,” Mavalwalla says. “I know this is polarizing times in our political system, but I ask you, is being for the Bill of Rights is that liberal or conservative?”

He said he also does not understand why more congressional attention is being paid to border communities like Metaline Falls, where the Metaline Falls–Nelway Border Crossing, “Is an economic opportunity being neglected.”

“Canada is one of our best allies,” Mavalwalla said. “We should be making it easier for them to come into our communities and spend money with better border crossing hours.”