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 picked by Inslee to lead state Commerce Department
Lisa Brown named director of the state Department of Commerce.
Top of the page: The 5 biggest news stories of 2018
Here are five major news stories that made a splash – in some cases immediately, in others over weeks and months – this past year in and around Spokane.
Ballots not cast can still sway elections
Despite near-record turnout for the midterm, tens of thousands of Spokane County voters didn’t vote and that has implications for future elections.
Lisa Brown reflects on Congressional campaign, says she won’t run for Spokane mayor
The one bright spot for Lisa Brown in a decisive defeat by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers on Tuesday was the City of Spokane, where she earned a double-digit victory. Still, Brown says she’s going to take a break to examine her options and said the future of the Democratic Party looks bright in Eastern Washington.
Shawn Vestal: McMorris Rodgers rode Eastern Washington’s red tide to victory
It wasn’t a wave, it was the tide. The regular, recurrent tide.
Analysis: Why ‘a real race’ in Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown contest offered familiar November result
Democrats said they couldn’t match the fervor from energized Republicans in Eastern Washington that led to a comfortable GOP win in the district, despite rumors of a “blue wave.” Republicans credited an exhaustive ground game after a close primary night and increased attention after the Supreme Court hearings this fall.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers wins eighth term with decisive victory over Democrat Lisa Brown
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Lisa Brown have been battling unofficially for more than a year in one of several contests nationwide that Democrats hope will shift control of Congress.
2018 Election Day 4 p.m. Update
Here’s a preview of what to be on the lookout for as polls close in Washington and Idaho in the next few hours. KHQ’s Claire Graham, Joe McHale, Stephanie Stevenson and The Spokesman-Review’s Kip Hill and Jim Camden report.
2018 Election Day 5 p.m. Update
KHQ’s Joe McHale reports on Election Day vandalism at Lisa Brown’s campaign headquarters, Stephanie Stevenson reports on last-minute ballot pickups around Spokane, Kevin Kim is down at the Elections Office, which is seeing one of the busiest elections in recent history, Claire Graham looks at some of the bond measures and advisory votes on the ballot, Adam Mayer reports from Boise and Spokesman-Review reporter Kip Hill looks at Brown’s year-long campaign against Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers while Jim Camden looks at statewide ballot initiatives.
Lisa Brown concedes in 5th District
Democrat Lisa Brown concedes the race for Washington’s 5th District on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.