McMorris Rodgers elected vice chair of House Republican conference

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Spokane) was elected vice chair of the House Republican Conference today, a position she announced she was running for early on last week.

The conference helps House Republicans develop communications strategies.

“As a new mother and second youngest woman Member of Congress, my unique perspective will help our party as we build coalitions, redefine our agenda and develop and spread our party’s message,” McMorris Rodgers said in a press release. “If we are to inspire people to join us and rally around our party’s vision for America, we as Republicans must begin using new technology to communicate our solutions for the budget and tax policy, energy, health care, education and the environment.”

McMorris Rodgers recently won her third consecutive race for congress, defeating Spokane Democrat Mark Mays by thirty points.

“I believe that the next two to four years are critical for our party, and how we respond to the Obama administration and the Democrats, as well as how we define ourselves as Republicans is going to determine if we remain a minority party for a short period or a longer period of time,” McMorris Rodgers said at a press conference announcing the leadership positions. “I do think that we need to come up with a way of shedding the past bad behavior and some of the missed opportunities that we’ve had; and we also, as a party, must bring our message into the 21st century.”

House Democrats also announced their leadership today. No one from the Washington delegation sought or made the leadership group.