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.