(SPOKANE) - Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers announced today she is seeking re-election to her 4th term in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington’s 5th Congressional District.
“Our country is facing an unprecedented financial crisis, with federal debt threatening to overwhelm our economy,” said McMorris Rodgers. “I am determined to return to Washington and work to restore fiscal policies Eastern Washington families can believe in, such as the Balanced Budget Amendment.”
McMorris Rodgers pointed out that she voted against the TARP bailout of big banks, against the $787 billion economic “stimulus” spending and against raising the federal debt limit.
“The reckless federal spending is a threat to our way of life and continued prosperity. It should be treated as a national emergency—one that we solve not with more federal spending, but with less,” McMorris Rodgers said. “We must bring that spending under control.”
McMorris Rodgers was elected by her Republican colleagues in 2008 to serve as Vice-Chair of the Republican Conference, the fourth highest-ranking Republican in the House, and the highest-ranking Republican woman.
“Republicans in the House recently agreed to an earmark moratorium for the coming year and will not be submitting any earmarks,” McMorris Rodgers said. “It’s commitment to budget reform the federal government needs now more than ever.”
McMorris Rodgers said her leadership post allows her to advance Eastern Washington priorities, and to bring a woman’s perspective to top Republican priorities.
“We have a unique perspective here in Eastern Washington,” McMorris Rodgers said. “We have clean, low-cost hydro and wind energy, innovative energy technology, health care leadership, and unmatched agriculture. It puts us in a great position to embrace the future and create jobs.”
McMorris Rodgers said her campaign has raised over $700,000 and planned to raise “at least $2 million” for the campaign ahead. To date, no one has announced a campaign against her.
“Republicans lost power in 2006 because they lost touch with the voters, and I will work to make sure that does not happen again,” McMorris Rodgers said.
McMorris Rodgers is a member of the Education and Labor Committee and is part of a bipartisan education reform effort. She also serves on the House Armed Services Committee where she is a strong advocate for our military and veterans. Last year, the Congresswoman was a co-founder of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, making sure that families of servicemen and women have the resources they need. She also serves on the Natural Resources Committee, where she’s protecting our resource based economy.
McMorris Rodgers won re-election in 2008 with 65% of the vote.
Before running for Congress in 2004, McMorris Rodgers served in the State House, ascending to the role of Republican Leader, before running for Congress.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers was born in Salem, Ore. Her family moved to Kettle Falls, Wash., where they operated the Peachcrest Fruitbasket orchard and produce stand.
McMorris Rodgers helped run the family business from 1984 to 1998.
In 2006, she married Brian Rodgers, a retired Navy commander and the son of a former Spokane mayor. The couple's son, Cole, was born April 2007.