Lisa Brown
A candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 5 in the 2018 Washington General Election, Nov. 6
Party: Democratic
Age: 67
City: Spokane, Washington
Education: Graduated from Robinson High School in Illinois in 1974. Graduated from the University of Illinois in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Graduated from the University of Colorado in 1986 with a doctorate in economics.
Work experience: Chancellor of Washington State University Spokane from 2013-17. Associate professor of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University from 2001-2012. Assistant and associate professor of economics at Eastern Washington University from 1981-2001. As a young adult, worked in fast food restaurants and bookstores, as well as a summer working at the Marathon oil refinery where her dad worked. Formerly served on the boards of YWCA, Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners, Greater Spokane Incorporated, the University District Public Development Authority and Innovate Washington.
Political experience: State Department of Commerce from 2019 to early 2023. Ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2018, losing to U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Elected as a state representative for the 3rd Legislative District, serving from 1993-96. Elected a state senator of the 3rd District, serving from 1997-2012. Served as Senate Majority Leader from 2008-2012.
Family: Married to Brian McClatchey. Has one adult son and one grandson.
Political donations: Reported raising about $464,000 as of Oct. 16, including major donations from the Washington state Democratic Central Committee, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, unions including the Laborers International Union of North America Local 238, and the Denny Heck for Congress campaign. Other notable contributors include former Spokane Mayor John Powers.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) | 175,422 | 54.76% |
| Lisa Brown (D) | 144,925 | 45.24% |
Related Coverage
Brown releases joint tax return showing $320K in income, more than $69K in taxes
A tale of the 1040s: Democratic challenger Lisa Brown and her husband paid more taxes on higher income than Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and her husband.
McMorris Rodgers releases tax return for ‘transparency,’ Brown says she will too
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers releases her 2017 tax returns, calling it an exercise in transparency and trust. After initially declining, Democratic challenger Lisa Brown says Tuesday evening she will release hers also.
Money pouring into race between Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown
The congresswoman once again posted a higher fundraising total for the first three months of 2018 than her Democratic rival, but the Democrat is continuing to surge. Federal Election Commission reports show the two campaigns were divided by a little more than $127,000 in earnings during the first quarter of this year.
Democratic wave may not wash many Republicans out of office
Democrats may have an advantage with voters heading into the fall elections, but it may not cost many Republicans their jobs.
Eastern Washington poll shows nearly 2-to-1 support for higher age limit for buying semi-automatic rifles
Eastern Washington voters overwhelmingly favor raising the age limit for buying a semi-automatic rifle but are evenly split on whether they think Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act, a new survey indicates.
Lisa Brown calls results of close poll with Cathy McMorris Rodgers ‘nothing but good news’
Down six points to the incumbent Republican, Democratic challenger Lisa Brown said she was encouraged by the results of a poll of likely Eastern Washington voters, particularly Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ approval rating below 50 percent.
Congressional candidate plans shooting event; underdog Senate challengers speak in Spokane
“Come on out, bring your firearms and your family and let’s talk of freedom and have a blast shooting some targets,” Jered Bonneau wrote in Facebook promotion for his “Shooting with the Candidate” event, which features a photo of the bearded 31-year-old posing with a Kalashnikov rifle in a room draped with “Don’t Tread on Me” flags.
What they said: Poll respondents weigh in on McMorris Rodgers, Brown and Trump
President Donald Trump looms large in the minds of likely Eastern Washington voters choosing between U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and challenger Lisa Brown, according to interviews conducted with poll participants this week.
Poll suggests bruising race for Congress between Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Lisa Brown
With Eastern Washington’s 5th Congressional District split over the job President Donald Trump and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers are doing, her 2018 race against Democrat Lisa Brown could be close and bruising, a new poll suggests.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers campaign reports record-breaking fundraising to start 2018
The congresswoman is trading fundraising boasts with Democratic challenger Lisa Brown. Ahead of final filings, the Republican congresswoman reported raising more than $800,000 for her re-election during the first three months of the year.