The Democratic opponent of U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in the November election used much of the first debate for Congressional seat representing Spokane working to portray the incumbent Republican as an engrained fixture in a bickering Congress.

But McMorris Rodgers used her time to defend her record, which she said proves that she fights for Eastern Washington and can work with Democrats. She noted her work on bipartisan legislation on hydroelectric power.

“My values are those of Eastern Washington. My priorities are the priorities of Eastern Washington,” McMorris Rodgers said.

The debate, which was filmed this morning at KSPS-TV, will air at 7 tonight on KSPS. It is the first of two debates featuring the Congressional candidates for the 5th Congressional District. The next is sponsored by Greater Spokane Inc., the regional chamber of commerce, and will be held on Friday.

Democrat Rich Cowan called Congress “broken” and noted that McMorris Rodgers has a leadership position in the House GOP.

“We have a path of survival of the fittest – you’re on your own, or we have a path that’s a combination of individual responsibility and accountability and shared responsibility and accountability, and that’s my path,” he said.

Note: Brunt was one of three journalists who appeared on the debate panel.

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