Joe Pakootas
A candidate for Congress, Congressional District 5 in the 2014 Washington Primary Election, Aug. 5
Party: Democratic
Age: 67
City: Inchelium, WA
Education: Graduated from Inchelium High School in 1975. Attended Eastern Washington University. Received executive MBA University of Washington 2006.
Political experience: Former tribal chairman of the Colville Confederated Tribes; member tribal business council 1987-99, 2001-13. Unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Congress 5th District seat in 2014.
Work experience: Enterprise Executive Officer for the Nez Perce Tribe. Former chief executive officer Colville Tribal Federal Corp. Worked in logging, construction. Former executive director of medical and dental services for Kalispel Tribe.
Family: Married. Has four adult children.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) | 69,504 | 51.62% |
| Joe Pakootas (D) | 38,847 | 28.85% |
| Dave Wilson (I) | 15,404 | 11.44% |
| Tom Horne (R) | 10,887 | 8.09% |
Related Coverage
McMorris Rodgers, Pakootas square off in final face-to-face
In his final attempt to fire barbs before Election Day, 5th Congressional District hopeful Joe Pakootas went on the offensive against Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in Spokane on Thursday, calling her tenure in Congress a “decade of disaster.” McMorris Rodgers, who topped Pakootas and defeated two other candidates in the August primary, highlighted what she called a legislative record of successful bipartisanship, pointing to two of her bills that became law in the last session with unanimous congressional support.
Shawn Vestal: Pakootas has 16-to-1 problem
What does the yawning gulf in fundraising between Cathy McMorris Rodgers and her challenger, Joe Pakootas, tell us? A lot – and maybe a lot more than David-and-Goliath narratives about political money suggest. Yes, the incumbent has leveraged all the advantages of incumbency – perhaps including the improper mingling of the public’s business with her campaign, which has been the subject of an ethics complaint. And yes, lots of money from out of the district has come into her coffers.
Election 2014: McMorris Rodgers faces Pakootas for Congress’ 5th District
With Congress’ approval rating plunging to single digits, being part of the leadership that controls the U.S. House of Representatives could work against an incumbent’s effort to stay in office this year. That’s what Democrat Joe Pakootas hopes as he takes on U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers for Eastern Washington’s 5th Congressional District seat. The Inchelium businessman is questioning her effectiveness after five terms in the House, where she currently serves as the majority Republican Conference chairwoman, the No. 4 position in the GOP hierarchy.