Spokane7
68°
February 11, 2012 in City
Cowan throws hat in ring for Congress
Film company CEO to run as Democrat
A local film director says he’s ready for a career change.
Rich Cowan, president and CEO of North by Northwest, a Spokane-based film production company, said Friday that he’s decided to run for Congress this year against U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane.
Cowan, a Democrat from Spokane, said he will resign on March 1 from the film company he’s led since 1990 to focus fully on his campaign.
“This is a serious race,” he said. “Right now Congress is broke and we need to fix it.”
Cowan, 56, was born in Spokane but grew up mostly in Kirkland, Wash. He graduated from Washington State University and moved back to Spokane.
As of the end of the year, McMorris Rodgers had $720,000 in her campaign fund, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Cowan said he expects to be competitive with McMorris Rodgers in fundraising.
Gonzaga Law School professor Dan Morrissey, who said last year that he was considering a bid against McMorris Rodgers, said Friday that he has decided against it.
Morrissey cited “personal financial reasons” for declining to enter the race, but said he’ll support the Democrat who emerges to challenge the incumbent.
Former Spokane Mayor Mary Verner also has expressed interest in the seat. An attempt to reach her on Friday was unsuccessful.
Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome? 
DickAdams on February 11 at 7:30 a.m.
Verner running? You`ve got to be kidding. I personally think Verner may be in big trouble with the DOJ.
I`ll be voting to oust Cathy Rodgers, who is just another career politician who betrayed Americans she swore to protect.
sks519 on February 11 at 8:44 a.m.
Cowan would be a great Representative. He sees this in the way it was meant to be - develop strong values and relevant real life experiences and use that knowledge for a time in public service. Smart, knowledgable about our region and the world, problem solver, dedicated, and not a career politician. It’s definitely time for a change and Rich show’s a great contrast and will be a refreshing and necessary replacement after the last 8 years.
hgimhof on February 11 at 2:11 p.m.
Rich Cowan will be a much needed breath of fresh air for our district. I agree with SKS completely about his life experience and the ability to turn it into service for the people of this region.
For once I can even agree with Dick Adams and I will also be voting to oust McMorris Rodgers,
greenlibertarian on February 11 at 3:19 p.m.
Rich is a great guy with great experience but he will be a greasespot on the road, unless McMorris gets felled by a MAJOR scandal.
ddoconnor on February 11 at 4:39 p.m.
Cowan’s website doesn’t even say he’s a democrat. McMorris Rodgers has represented us well and it seems like her opponent will just be another sacrificial lamb who pretends to be independent, but is just another typical west coast liberal.
SMARTGUY on February 11 at 9:54 p.m.
Mcmorris cannot have a scandal, you have actually do something to cause a scandal.
WillyPeter on February 12 at 10:26 a.m.
SMARTGUY - Not after the misogynists get ‘aholt’ of her…..
Shadedmuse on February 12 at 7:35 p.m.
Mayor Verner is going after Cathy Mcmo-mo and ousting her after the dirty tricks the Corrupt Cathy Mcmo-mo puled to get her Boy into city hall. looks like Cathy mcmo-mo may have to be getting a job from her boy in a year unless Cathy Mcmo-mo isnt in a federal prison for election fraud sooner.
As for Rich Cowan, if his congress campain is anything like his movies, he wont make it pat the primary in August.
GO MAYOR VERNER!!!!!!!!! take down Cathy Mcmo-mo. and her Boy.
sjaef on March 04 at 9:04 p.m.
As for Rich Cowan, if his congress campain is anything like his movies, he wont make it pat the primary in August.
*OUCH*