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
Lisa Brown surges in fundraising, but Cathy McMorris Rodgers widens money margin in Congress race
Both camps are claiming unprecedented interest and donations in the race to represent Eastern Washington in Congress. The contest between the House of Representatives’ fourth-ranking Republican and the former Democratic leader of the Washington Senate has already drawn interest nationwide.
Independent Eric Agnew drops congressional bid, leaving McMorris Rodgers and Brown in the race
The candidate cited intense interest and big money as his reasons for dropping a long-shot bid to contest the seat Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has held since 2005.
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While it’s intended to be a celebration and remembrance for the late reverend, Spokane’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rally and March quickly turned political when two candidates vying for a seat in the House of Representatives took the stage
Over 400 show up for Lisa Brown campaign training
The race for Washington’s 5th Congressional District may be months away, but the parties have already begun the foundational work of campaign building. For the campaign of challenger Lisa Brown Saturday, that foundation showed up in droves.
Paul Ryan-backed super PAC supporting Cathy McMorris Rodgers in 2018 contest
The Congressional Leadership Fund has selected Eastern Washington as one of 27 sites for field offices, intended to drum up support for Republicans ahead of the 2018 midterms. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is the highest-profile Republican to date who will receive support from the group, which has promised to spend $100 million in this campaign cycle to maintain the party’s control of both houses of Congress.
In town hall, 5th District challenger Lisa Brown stakes out stance against GOP tax plan
Hours after the Senate approved the final version of the GOP tax plan Wednesday, Congressional 5th District challenger Lisa Brown rallied against the bill in the basement of the Spokane Valley Library.
McMorris Rodgers makes final push for tax reform as Congress nears vote on divisive proposal
The fourth-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives continues her pitch for the tax plan, which she says will put more money in the wallets of Americans. Democrats remain wary, and independent analysis of the plan indicates soaring deficits that could trigger automatic spending cuts if Congress doesn’t act quickly after passing the bill, which is expected this week.
Northwest Democrats, GOP split on net neutrality rule change
Region’s Democrats and Republicans argue whether Thursday’s FCC decision on net neutrality will help or hurt the economy and consumers.
WSU grad students sound off on GOP tax plan
Washington State University graduate students gathered Wednesday to mount some last-minute opposition to the Republican tax plan that’s barreling through Congress.
Matthew Sutherland drops bid challenging Cathy McMorris Rodgers, backs Lisa Brown
The Washington State University alumnus will turn his attention to state-level politics, as Brown ramps up a run to unseat Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers next year with the backing of national political strategists.