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
House, Senate farm bills split over conservation programs
Proponents of the House plan, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, say it would combine the best features of two programs that encourage conservation efforts through a mix of financial and technical assistance. Critics say it would limit farmers’ ability to improve soil, water and air quality and comply with state regulations.
Brown, McMorris Rogers talk dams, climate change and grizzlies
The four dams on the Lower Snake River are in no danger of going away. At least not at the hands of congressional candidates for Eastern Washington.
McMorris Rodgers, Brown both claim wins in money race
Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Lisa Brown both report big gains in campaign dollars.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue endorses work requirements for food assistance
Congress is preparing to reconcile two versions of the farm bill, a sweeping piece of legislation renewed every five years that governs an array of agricultural and food assistance programs, including SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue seeks to allay farmers’ trade concerns
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue sought to assure Eastern Washington agriculture and forestry leaders on Monday that American farmers will not bear the brunt of an international trade war. But Perdue would not say, specifically, how his USDA might assist farmers hurt by retaliatory tariffs imposed by China and other trading partners.
Lisa Brown: To change Congress, we need to change who we send to Congress
Whether I’m at a town hall in Deer Park, a meet-and-greet in Medical Lake or knocking on doors in the Logan neighborhood of Spokane, I hear from people in every part of Eastern Washington that they’re frustrated with a dysfunctional Congress and don’t feel like their leaders are working for them. It’s the same sentiment across the country. As of May, only 17 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, according to Gallup.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers votes against Republican legislation on immigration
The Congresswoman continued Thursday to push a so-called “consensus bill” that is scheduled for a vote next week. But that bill doesn’t have the support of Democrats in Congress, nor the U.S. Senate, and has been criticized by civil rights groups for doing little to improve the nation’s immigration system.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown both say Trump correct in reversing family separation policy
But the candidates disagreed on the next steps in Congress, with the House of Representatives set to vote on a pair of bills Thursday that have been forwarded by Republicans. They both have an unclear path in the Senate.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown both call for end to immigrant family separation policy
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said she was working to bring legislation to the House of Representatives’ floor that would address both the detention issue and other immigration reforms. Her Democratic challenger, Lisa Brown, urged swifter action to stop the policy, saying Congress shouldn’t let larger issues or a potential veto from President Donald Trump get in the way of ending the practice.
Net neutrality protest draws two dozen to McMorris Rodgers’ office
Protesters urged Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers to change her stance to repeal net neutrality rules.