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McMorris Rodgers Defeats Brown in WA Congressional Race

Jeremy Burnham

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) is headed back to Congress for an eighth term.

McMorris Rodgers, who ranks fourth in the House Republican leadership, took nearly 56% of the vote Tuesday in a race that many thought would be closer. Her Democratic challenger Lisa Brown had been very competitive in fundraising, raising even more money than the incumbent over the last few weeks.

Credit Jared Brown
Lisa Brown speaks to her supporters at a Democratic Party gathering on election night.

When the results of the race were announced at a Republican gathering in the Davenport Grand Hotel, people in the room erupted with cheers. In a speech afterward, McMorris Rodgers thanked people for their support.

"This election was tough. It was a battle," she said. "I stand before you tonight stronger, better and more convicted for what we are fighting for."

A few blocks away, Brown gave a concession speech after the vote tally was announced. She thanked the people who worked on her campaign and tried to put a good face on the results.

"I know our country may seem awfully divided right now, but I want you to know that our armed services members have died and risked their lives for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans," she said.

"Courageous people throughout our history have marched and risked their lives and bravely shared their stories and stood up for themselves and their families so that women could vote, so that African Americans could vote, so that Native Amereicans were not forced into boarding schools," she said. "That's what this country really stands for."