SPOKANE, Wash.- Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers has announced that she is not running for reelection.
Cornell Clayton, a professor of political science and public policy at Washington State University (WSU), offered analysis on how this course change from one of the state’s most influential lawmakers will impact the political process.
Clayton’s initial reaction to the announcement was surprise.
“Representative McMorris Rodgers is chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee right now, which is a powerful position that she’s wanted for some time. In many ways, she’s at the height of her power, so that was a bit surprising,” Clayton said.
While the news was certainly not inevitable, and McMorris Rodgers had not made it clear that she was looking to retire from the House any time soon, there were some signs that she would potentially make a departure considering broader trends in Republican legislative culture.
“On the other hand, it’s not so surprising given how dysfunctional the congressional party has become and their inability to get legislation passed has got to be very frustrating for members,” Clayton said.
Her choice to depart the chamber once her term has elapsed will have broad implications for party leadership within the congress, which will see significant leadership turn-over next session.
“I would note she’s the third committee chair on the Republican side to announce that they aren’t going to run for reelection,” Clayton said.
A congressperson choosing to leave a powerful chair position is an uncommon occurrence in national politics. The WSU professor speculated that the reason for such an unusual choice is likely due to a combination of gridlock and the potential for a tumultuous year ahead for Republicans.
“It tells you that she’s frustrated about something. It could be about the congressional party, it could be a fear about what’s going to happen in the upcoming election, maybe [Republicans] losing the majority again,” Clayton said.
The Fifth Congressional District primaries will now occur without an incumbent candidate, meaning that more people will likely seek the position.
“It opens the floodgates to possible candidates, and I suspect what we’ll see in the primaries is the divisions in both parties on display,” Clayton said.
Clayton forecasted that tensions between the Republican party’s conservative and moderate wings will likely coalesce in several candidates for the GOP nomination, in addition to clashes between progressive and moderate Democrats.
If a Republican candidate aligned with presidential candidate Donald Trump wins the GOP primary, while a moderate Democrat is chosen by Spokane Democrats, Clayton argues that a competitive race could emerge.
“There’s a good possibility that for the first time since 1995 a Democrat could reclaim the Fifth Congressional District,” Clayton said.
The district primaries will be a major focus for both the Republican and Democratic parties in eastern Washington in the months ahead.
