Context for Brown’s campaign

A Spokesman-Review article (“Cash-heavy fight, big turnout, yet a familiar November result,” Nov. 8) about this year’s race in the 5th Congressional District quotes observers, including myself, critical of Lisa Brown’s campaign in the loss to Cathy McMorris Rodgers. However, that article failed to provide some important context.

The politics of the 5th District remain difficult for any Democrat. The Cook Political Report estimates that it is 8 percent more Republican than the nation as a whole, and in the top third of most Republican districts in the country. Trump carried it by 13 percentage points in 2016.

In the end, Brown’s 10 percentage point loss (55%-45%) will be half the 19 percent margin that McMorris Rodgers beat her previous challenger by in 2016, and far closer than margins in her previous elections (i.e., 21% in 2014; 23% in 2012; 25% in 2010; 30% in 2008; 13% in 2006; 19% in 2004).

Brown’s campaign raised a record $5 million, far more than previous challengers, and attracted record numbers of volunteers, especially young people.

So, while political strategists can argue about particular tactics, Brown’s campaign did a lot right. More importantly, Brown ran a campaign of which she, and the district, should be proud - civil, honest, and policy-focused.

Cornell W. Clayton

Pullman