Profiles of candidates running for Washington’s 5th District
Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Republican, 45, married, three small children. cathyforcongress.com
Education: Pre-law bachelor’s degree, Pensacola Christian College, 1990; MBA, University of Washington, 2002.
Political experience: U.S. representative, 2005 to present; House Republican Conference chairwoman, 2013-present; state representative, Washington 7th District, 1993-2004.
Work experience: Aide to state representative, 1990-93; worked at her family orchard and fruit stand prior to election to Congress; worked at McDonald’s in high school.
Joe Pakootas
Democrat, 56, married, four adult children. pakootasforcongress.com
Education: Attended Eastern Washington University; received executive MBA at University of Washington, 2006.
Political experience: Former tribal chairman, Colville Confederated Tribes; member tribal business council, 1987-99, 2001-13. First run for nontribal elective office.
Work experience: Chief executive officer Colville Tribal Federal Corp.; worked in logging and construction; former executive director of Camas Path wellness center for Kalispel Tribe for more than three years.
Tom Horne
Republican, 65, married. tomhorneforcongress.com
Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Washington State University, 1972
Political experience: First run for elective office.
Work experience: Volunteer firefighter and EMT for Spokane Fire District 8; retired consulting engineer, worked in shipyards, factories and natural gas pipelines in the United States and abroad; U.S. Marine Corps, 1972-76
Dave Wilson
Independent, 59, married, six adult children. davewilsonforcongress.com
Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, 1977. Master’s in education, Gonzaga, 2000.
Political experience: First run for elective office.
Work experience: Former owner Interface College (sold in 2011); part-time hay farmer; former district manager of RadioShack; started Interface Computer Services in 1982, later Interface Computer School and then Interface College.