Lisa Brown
A candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 5 in the 2018 Washington Primary Election
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) | 57,318 | 47.52% |
| Lisa Brown (D) | 56,793 | 47.09% |
| Dave Saulibio (T) | 2,873 | 2.38% |
| Jered Bonneau (R) | 2,698 | 2.24% |
| Kari Ilonummi (R) | 931 | 0.77% |
Related Coverage
Bloomsday 2018: Coverage of the race
With a blare of sirens and the crack of a starting gun, Bloomsday 2018 sped away under clear, sunny skies, wheelchair racers leading the pack.
Spin Control: MSNBC discovers the McMorris Rodgers/Brown race
When national reporters parachute in, some things are going to sound strange.
Brown says she wants to hear concerns of voters in congressional campaign stop
Before she even took any questions at her community forum Saturday in Clarkston, Lisa Brown gave the 40 or so people in the audience an opportunity to make statements.
New Eastern Washington poll continues to show tight race between McMorris Rodgers, Brown
The poll of 689 voters in Eastern Washington shows a three-point contest between Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Lisa Brown approaching the six-month mark before the November elections. The poll was commissioned by a political action committee with heavy ties to Democratic candidates.
Lisa Brown, Maria Cantwell and Heather Foley among speakers at local Democratic fundraiser April 27
Celebrating “The Year of the Woman,” local Democrats will hold their annual fundraiser at the Mirabeau Park Hotel in Spokane Valley on April 27 beginning at 5 p.m.
Brown releases joint tax return showing $320K in income, more than $69K in taxes
A tale of the 1040s: Democratic challenger Lisa Brown and her husband paid more taxes on higher income than Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and her husband.
McMorris Rodgers releases tax return for ‘transparency,’ Brown says she will too
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers releases her 2017 tax returns, calling it an exercise in transparency and trust. After initially declining, Democratic challenger Lisa Brown says Tuesday evening she will release hers also.
Money pouring into race between Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown
The congresswoman once again posted a higher fundraising total for the first three months of 2018 than her Democratic rival, but the Democrat is continuing to surge. Federal Election Commission reports show the two campaigns were divided by a little more than $127,000 in earnings during the first quarter of this year.
Democratic wave may not wash many Republicans out of office
Democrats may have an advantage with voters heading into the fall elections, but it may not cost many Republicans their jobs.
Eastern Washington poll shows nearly 2-to-1 support for higher age limit for buying semi-automatic rifles
Eastern Washington voters overwhelmingly favor raising the age limit for buying a semi-automatic rifle but are evenly split on whether they think Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act, a new survey indicates.