SPOKANE, Wash.- In the hours following Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ announcement that she is not seeking reelection, Republican candidates and officials made a litany of public statements congratulating the policymaker on her tenure in the U.S. House.
Former congressperson Dave Reichert (R-WA), who is currently running for governor, shared his experience working alongside McMorris Rodgers in congress.
“We were both elected to Congress in 2004 and I saw firsthand how committed she was to her family, her constituents, and our state,” Reichert said.
Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN), who sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee which McMorris Rodgers currently chairs, articulated his appreciation for the Washington congressperson within the context of U.S. energy policy.
“Chair Rodgers…led the committee in laying the groundwork to ensure that America continues to be the world’s innovation leader and is positioned to win the 21st century and beyond,” Bucshon said.
Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), who represents northern and western Idaho in the House and serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, made a brief statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“It has been an honor to serve alongside Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers over the last six years. She is a great friend and colleague and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from her,” Fulcher said.
Not all Republicans had positive input to offer. Semi Bird, a Republican running for governor in Washington, jumped on the opportunity to announce his own plans to run for McMorris Rodgers’ seat by announcing an exploratory committee for the position.
Bird shared a personal story which contributes to his dislike of the congressperson.
“Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers directly asked me to step aside from the gubernatorial race. This incident revealed to me the entrenched nature of political maneuvering and the need for fresh perspectives,” Bird said.
A crowd of other Republican lawmakers and conservative public figures made positive statements about McMorris Rodgers on Feb. 8, including Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), Spokane County Republican Party MJ Bolt, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), King County Council Vice-Chair Reagan Dunn (R-WA) and Cle Elum Mayor Matthew Lundh.
Now that the seat will not feature a Republican incumbent, the potential for a competitive GOP primary race has emerged.
Most conservative lawmakers have chosen to compliment McMorris Rodgers for her time in office. Whether the Republican nominee for 2024 will share her political outlook or will pivot to a different platform remains to be seen.
