Mark Mays to Challenge McMorris Rodgers in CD-5

The Spokesman-Review is reporting that Spokane psychologist and attorney Mark Mays will challenge Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers for her 5th District Congressional seat this fall. Mays has also served on the Board of Trustees at Eastern Washington University, where he was appointed by Gov. Gary Locke in 1997, and as the head of the Washington State Psychological Association.

According to the report, "Mays informally announced his candidacy Thursday in an e-mail and at a lunch with about a dozen potential supporters, including current and former Democratic Party officials and a previous candidate for the office."

Republican McMorris Rodgers has held the seat since 2004, defeating Democratic challengers in both her initial election and the 2006 re-election bid by over ten points. However, the races have grown closer each time over the past three elections. It was long famous as the district of former House Speaker Tom Foley (D), who was only the second sitting speaker to lose a re-election bid when he was defeated by George Nethercutt in the 1994 Republican landslide.