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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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.

Related Coverage

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers thanks supporters in victory speech

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers thanks her supporters moments after challenger Lisa Brown conceded the race for the 5th District seat on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

FOX 28 First at 10: 2018 Midterm Election Returns

KHQ’s Dan Kleckner and Stephanie Vigil host this 10 p.m. roundup of race and initiative results from the 2018 Midterm Elections.

Podcast: S-R’s politics team on Brown vs. McMorris Rodgers, French vs. Anthony and much more; Congressional battle winding down

Final votes will be cast Tuesday as Democrats hope a blue wave will switch leadership in the House of Representatives and Republicans hope to continue the momentum they built with a massive tax reform package.

Further Review: A lighthearted look at Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown stances on food, coffee and pop culture

We’ve asked them about guns, immigration, health care and the national debt. Now Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Lisa Brown tell us how they feel about the best sauce to dunk your french fries.

Further Review: A deeper look at the finances behind the Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown race

Fifth Congressional District Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and challenger Lisa Brown have raised more than $10.5 million and spent nearly all of it in what has become the most expensive contest in Eastern Washington in recent memory, and likely in the political history of the district. The Spokesman-Review took a deeper look at where the money came from to fund the two top-tier candidates in a race that will be closely watched on Election Day.

On the campaign trail: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown urge supporters to get out the vote

The candidates trained their focus on voters likely already in their column ahead of Election Day over the past several weeks, with the congresswoman touring rural communities in an RV and a rolling JumboTron while Lisa Brown canvassed and spoke to supporters in and around the urban core of Spokane.

Analysis: The paths to victory for Brown and McMorris Rodgers

We’ve spent months writing about the issues, examining the ads and interviewing the candidates on your ballot for Tuesday’s election.

Campaign sign theft, vandalism reach new levels in 5th District race

Theft and defacement of campaign signs may be at an all-time high in the 5th Congressional District.

Trump effect? Supporters of Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown weigh in on president’s role in midterm contest

The party of the president rarely performs well in its first midterm after the election. With Republicans running behind President Donald Trump, supporters of both Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Lisa Brown spoke this week about how his profile is affecting their vote in 2018.

Donors to Matt Shea’s re-election campaign re-evaluating their support

As Washington State Representative Matt Shea’s document “Biblical Basis For War” has gained increased national attention, some of his campaign donors are re-evaluating their support or asking for their money back. KHQ’s Patrick Erickson reports.