Joe Pakootas
A candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 5 in the 2014 Nov. 4 Washington General Election
Party: Democrat
Age: 68
City: Inchelium, WA
Education: Graduated from Inchelium High School in 1975. Attended Eastern Washington University. Received executive MBA University of Washington 2006.
Political experience: Former tribal chairman of the Colville Confederated Tribes; member tribal business council 1987-99, 2001-13. Unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Congress 5th District seat in 2014.
Work experience: Enterprise Executive Officer for the Nez Perce Tribe. Former chief executive officer Colville Tribal Federal Corp. Worked in logging, construction. Former executive director of medical and dental services for Kalispel Tribe.
Family: Married. Has four adult children.
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) | 134,895 | 60.69% |
| Joe Pakootas (D) | 87,390 | 39.31% |
Related Coverage
Election 2014: McMorris Rodgers faces Pakootas for Congress’ 5th District
With Congress’ approval rating plunging to single digits, being part of the leadership that controls the U.S. House of Representatives could work against an incumbent’s effort to stay in office this year. That’s what Democrat Joe Pakootas hopes as he takes on U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers for Eastern Washington’s 5th Congressional District seat. The Inchelium businessman is questioning her effectiveness after five terms in the House, where she currently serves as the majority Republican Conference chairwoman, the No. 4 position in the GOP hierarchy.
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An August town hall had a very November feel Monday as U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers addressed a crowd that included her election opponent and struck an optimistic tone on many of the major issues facing Congress. “I recognize that we, in Congress, have not been able on some of the big issues – there was ‘the grand bargain,’ which I believe needs to happen – to get the job done,” said the chair of the House Republican Caucus, referring to the failed ploy to get the GOP and Democrats on board with a spending plan that would reduce the national debt. “I think everyone has played a role in that, Republicans and Democrats.”
McMorris Rodgers offers Pakootas three debates
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers challenged Democratic opponent Joe Pakootas on Monday to three debates this fall, including two in Spokane. Pakootas said he planned to counter with a proposal to do at least two more in other areas around the large 5th Congressional District. McMorris Rodgers has debated opponents at least once in her previous re-election campaigns, although scheduling has sometimes been a problem when Congress stayed in session late into the fall. Congressional candidates usually get far more invitations to debate than they accept, but this may be one of the earliest efforts by the five-term incumbent to nail down a debate schedule.
McMorris Rodgers challenges Pakootas to 3 debates
McMorris Rodgers challenges Pakootas to 3 debates
McMorris Rodgers will face Pakootas
Congress may be unpopular, but in Eastern Washington’s 5th Congressional District, five-term incumbent Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers was popular with voters casting ballots in Tuesday’s primary. McMorris Rodgers, a member of the GOP leadership in the House, finished the evening with more than half the votes cast in the 10-county district. She’ll face Democrat Joe Pakootas, the chief executive officer of the Colville Tribe’s business operations, in the general election and said she was encouraged by the strong showing in the four-way primary.
WA Elex Congress: McMorris Rodger v. Pakootas; Didier v. Newhouse
WA Elex Congress: McMorris Rodger v. Pakootas; Didier v. Newhouse
Pakootas wins right to challenge McMorris Rodgers
Republican U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers will carry another comfortable lead into the November general election, where she’ll face Democrat Joe Pakootas.