Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers used conservative bona fides to rise through ranks

After being appointed to the state House of Representatives by the slimmest of margins in 1994, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has carved out a long legislative career in Eastern Washington.

Section:Gallery

Wed., Oct. 10, 2018

FILE - Fifth Congressional District Represenitive Cathy McMorris flashes a giant smile toward her parents, brother, grandmother and friends sitting in the gallery in January 2005 on the floor of the United States House of Representives in Washington DC, as the members of Congress were sworn in.

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FILE - Rep. Cathy MCMorris, R-Colville, chats with Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, on the House floor in Olympia, Wash., Thursday, March 4, 2004.

Louie Balukoff
FILE - Flanked by U.S. Senate hopeful Mike McGavick and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris, Vice President Dick Cheney speaks to Republican supporters at a fundraiser for McGavick at the Davenport Hotel Monday afternoon, Apr. 17, 2006.

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FILE - Cathy McMorris stands in front of the Republican party at the Davenport Hotel during an election night rally in 2004.

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FILE - Rep. Cathy McMorris, R-WA., right, listens to Ryan Work, left, a legislative director in her office during a staff meeting, Thursday, April 6, 2006 in Washington.

Linda Spillers Ap
FILE - Reps. Renee Radcliff, R-Mukilteo, left, and Cathy McMorris, R-Colville, outline their government reform agenda for reporters in Olympia, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000. The plan would change the way government does business, as Washington citizens have demanded with passage of Initiative 695, according to Radcliff and McMorris.

Louie Balukoff Associated Press
FILE - Congresswoman Kathy McMorris Rodgers holds her first-born son Cole in 2007.

Courtesy Jill Strait Photo Courtesy Jill Strait
FILE - House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio administers the House oath to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers during a mock swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. She is holding her infant daughter, Grace, and posing with son, Cole, and husband, Brian.

Jacquelyn Martin Ap
FILE - "Wow, she actually looks like her picture" says north Spokane resident Pete Brickner during a campaign visit in October 2004.

Christopher Anderson The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
FILE - Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., rehearses the Republican response to the State of the Union on Capitol Hill that she will deliver in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014.

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FILE - President-elect Donald Trump and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., shake hands as she leaves the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Bedminster, N.J.

Carolyn Kaster Ap