In the Republican wave of 1994, the late Speaker Tom Foley held Washington's 5th Congressional District, located in and around Spokane. Since 2005, the seat has been held by Cathy McMorris-Rogers.
McMorris-Rogers, a strong defender of the current Republican brand, is being challenged by Joe Pakootas, the CEO and former Chairman of the Colville Confederated Tribes.
Local Democrats are excited by Pakootas' challenge, and expect that he will give McMorris-Rogers the strongest challenge since Peter Goldmark's campaign in 2006.
Pakootas received strong coverage in the Spokane Statesman-Review and other local press.
Pakootas stated that his run was about jobs, health care, economic inequality and education, all issues that affect many Americans.
As CEO of the Colville Confederated Tribes, Pakootas turned around a corporation that was $8.1 million in the red and within nine months was $2.3 million in the black. He is credited for bringing about economic recovery for the Colville tribe.
If elected, Pakootas would be one of two enrolled Native Americans serving in the House and the only Democrat.
He realizes that he needs to raise $1.5 - $2 million to be successful, in what he describes as a "heavy lift." So, please donate to his campaign and help build momentum for a strong candidate in Eastern Washington.
http://www.pakootasforcongress.com/