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
Protesters inflate ‘Baby Trump’ balloon outside Spokane campaign fundraiser featuring Mike Pence
Protesters inflated a giant “Baby Trump” balloon outside the Spokane Convention Center, where Vice President Mike Pence spoke during a campaign fundraiser for Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Video courtesy of KHQ.
Vice President Mike Pence to appear for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in downtown Spokane on Tuesday
The vice president, a former colleague of McMorris Rodgers in the U.S. House of Representatives, will speak at an afternoon fundraiser at the Spokane Convention Center. Tickets to the event were still selling at $125 apiece on Monday afternoon, according to the McMorris Rodgers campaign, which expects more than 1,000 attendees.
Vice President Mike Pence to appear for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers downtown Spokane on Tuesday
A campaign swing to the West will bring Vice President Mike Pence to downtown Spokane on Tuesday to stump for U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. KHQ’s Joe McHale reports.
Lisa Brown: We need solutions that lower health care costs and expand access, not slogans
Lisa Brown, D, is a former WSU Spokane chancellor and former Washington state Senate majority leader.
Shawn Vestal: McMorris Rodgers’ vow against Social Security and Medicare cuts rings hollow
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers protests too much about claims she would vote for Social Security and Medicare cuts. Not only is it utterly credible to believe she might vote for such cuts – which would certainly be, like last year’s failed Trumpcare effort, swaddled in claims that the cuts are not cuts – but she’s already voted to do so. More than once.
Analysis: ‘Dark money’ claims in McMorris Rodgers, Brown debate oversimplify complicated campaign finance laws
The candidates both claimed the other was benefitting from campaign contributions that aren’t traceable. The issue has become heated in a race that has attracted outside attention from leadership groups and other nonprofits that view Eastern Washington as a battleground election in the contest for control of the House of Representatives.
Mike Pence stump speech for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers tentatively scheduled for early October in Spokane
The list of top Republicans coming to Spokane to stump for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers this fall will include Vice President Mike Pence.
Lisa Brown, Cathy McMorris Rodgers face off in first public debate
In their first public debate, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Democratic challenger Lisa Brown lobbed criticism on numerous issues, including health care, tax reform, gun control, the farm bill, the special counsel investigation and “dark money” in campaigns. The debate, hosted by The Spokesman-Review and KHQ, drew more than 500 people to the Bing Crosby Theater on Wednesday evening.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown set for town hall event in downtown Spokane on Wednesday
The event, co-hosted by The Spokesman-Review’s Northwest Passages forum and KHQ-TV, will air live on local broadcast television from the Bing Crosby Theater in downtown Spokane. It’ll be the first time McMorris Rodgers and Brown share a stage in pursuit of Eastern Washington’s seat in Congress this November.
Lisa Brown, Cathy McMorris Rodgers disagree on Social Security
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, challenger Lisa Brown differ on what to do about the Social Security system.