Joe Pakootas
A candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 5 in the 2016 Washington General Election, Nov. 8
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) | 166,159 | 59.46% |
| Joe Pakootas (D) | 113,308 | 40.54% |
Related Coverage
McMorris Rodgers sets sights on House leadership, praises Trump’s call for unity
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers will again seek appointment by her peers as chair of the House Republican Conference, a position that has been used by GOP lawmakers to catapult to higher positions of power.
McMorris Rodgers, Murray both earn return trips to Congress
Cathy McMorris Rodgers will serve a sixth term in the House of Representatives, once again defeating Joe Pakootas to return to the Congressional seat she’s held since 2005. Patty Murray will head back to the Senate to serve a fifth term, defeating Republican Chris Vance.
All the 5th District Congressional debates, in one place
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Joe Pakootas have squared off three times in debates around Washington’s 5th Congressional district since the beginning of this month. They’re all available online as you fill out your ballot.
Pakootas, McMorris Rodgers take to airwaves to make their case
Both Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Joe Pakootas have released TV ads in the Spokane market as ballots start to drop this week. Pakootas is attempting to tie McMorris Rodgers to Donald Trump, while the congresswoman is touting national security in an ad that departs from her usual policy-based ads.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers tepidly allies with Trump, touts policies in Congressional race against Joe Pakootas
Joe Pakootas, the Democratic challenger looking to unseat Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in her seventh run for Congress, is trying to tie her to Donald Trump in an attempt to sway voters away from the high-ranking Republican. But she may need those voters, and her tenuous alliance with Trump, to retain her seat in a strategy indicative of her longtime defense of the Republican Party.
Murray, McMorris Rodgers for Congress
The two congressional races on Spokane County ballots feature the 5th Congressional District and a U.S. Senate seat. U.S. Senate: You won’t see U.S. Sen. Patty Murray on TV pounding the partisan talking points and widening the divide. That doesn’t mean she isn’t partisan (she is a close adviser to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid), but it shows she has the temperament to keep the door open to negotiation and compromise. The popular narrative is that Congress is hopelessly gridlocked, but it’s only partly true.
McMorris Rodgers sticks with Trump
Democratic challenger Joe Pakootas calls on U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers to withdraw her backing of Donald Trump. She says no.
McMorris Rodgers, Pakootas talk Trump, veterans’ health care and guns in televised debate
Cathy McMorris Rodgers defended her record of supporting veterans as a member of the House of Representatives against claims by Joe Pakootas she was “privatizing” the military’s health care, while Pakootas made the case for a $22 per hour minimum wage and attacked the congresswoman for her tacit support of Donald Trump.
McMorris Rodgers’ lower primary numbers may reflect voter frustration
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers on Tuesday had her lowest showing in a primary since 2004, her first Congressional contest. Republicans remain confident she can keep her seat against Joe Pakootas, but her tepid support of Donald Trump and connections to Washington D.C. leadership could hurt her.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Joe Pakootas advance in race for Congress
The race for Congress in November will be a repeat of 2014. Incumbent Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers easily topped five challengers in Tuesday’s primary. Democrat Joe Pakootas appears headed to a second place finish based on his strong finish in Spokane County.