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==Biography==

==Biography==

Baumgartner was born in [[Pullman, Washington]]. His mother is a [[Kindergarten]] teacher and his father was a Washington State University professor. Baumgartner earned a scholarship to attend [[Washington State University|Washington State University's]] Honors College. There, he was awarded a Thomas Foley scholarship, and was named a Stephenson scholar, an award given to the top graduates from the Honors College. He graduated in 1999 with a degree in [[Economics]] with minors in [[French language|French]] and [[Mathematics]].  In 2002, he earned a Masters degree in [[Public Administration]] from [[Harvard University]].

Baumgartner was born in Pullman, Washington. His mother is a [[Kindergarten]] teacher and his father was a Washington State University professor. Baumgartner earned a scholarship to attend [[Washington State University|Washington State University's]] Honors College. There, he was awarded a Thomas Foley scholarship, and was named a Stephenson scholar, an award given to the top graduates from the Honors College. He graduated in 1999 with a degree in [[Economics]] with minors in [[French language|French]] and [[Mathematics]].  In 2002, he earned a Masters degree in [[Public Administration]] from [[Harvard University]].

Baumgartner taught classes at Harvard. He volunteered as a researcher on environmental science teams with the [[US Forest Service]]. During the [[Iraq War]], he served as the Economics Officer in the Office of Joint Strategic Planning & Assessment (JSPA) at the [[United States Embassy in Baghdad]], helping the [[Iraqi government]] as part of the [[Baghdad Security Plan]]. He was praised by then-General [[David Petraeus]] as well as Ambassador [[Ryan Crocker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://honors.wsu.edu/alumnifriends/mbaumgartner/ |title=Honors College: Michael Baumgartner |publisher=Honors.wsu.edu |date=2006-02-14 |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref> In 2008, he spent seven months working as a civilian contractor in the [[Helmand Province]] of Afghanistan. That same year, the Boston Globe referred to Baumgartner as the "Architect of Hope" in the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/06/02/what_id_rather_read/ |title=What I'd rather read - The Boston Globe |publisher=Boston.com |date=2008-06-02 |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baumgartnerforsenate.com/bio.html |title=Vote Michael Baumgartner for US Senate |publisher=Baumgartnerforsenate.com |date= |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref>

Baumgartner taught classes at Harvard. He volunteered as a researcher on environmental science teams with the [[US Forest Service]]. During the [[Iraq War]], he served as the Economics Officer in the Office of Joint Strategic Planning & Assessment (JSPA) at the [[United States Embassy in Baghdad]], helping the [[Iraqi government]] as part of the [[Baghdad Security Plan]]. He was praised by then-General [[David Petraeus]] as well as Ambassador [[Ryan Crocker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://honors.wsu.edu/alumnifriends/mbaumgartner/ |title=Honors College: Michael Baumgartner |publisher=Honors.wsu.edu |date=2006-02-14 |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref> In 2008, he spent seven months working as a civilian contractor in the [[Helmand Province]] of Afghanistan. That same year, the Boston Globe referred to Baumgartner as the "Architect of Hope" in the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/06/02/what_id_rather_read/ |title=What I'd rather read - The Boston Globe |publisher=Boston.com |date=2008-06-02 |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baumgartnerforsenate.com/bio.html |title=Vote Michael Baumgartner for US Senate |publisher=Baumgartnerforsenate.com |date= |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref>