The Times endorses
McMorris in the 5th

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Cathy McMorris is endorsed for the 5th Congressional District seat because of her proven effectiveness in a legislative body.

Rep. McMorris was a breath of fresh air when she took over leadership of the state Republican House caucus, moving the leadership's approach more to one of collaboration within her party and across the aisle. She delivered Republican votes for a controversial but necessary gas tax. The Colville Republican knows the problems of the mostly rural Eastern Washington district. She successfully sponsored a bill that helped rural hospitals stay open by requiring the state to reimburse them for actual costs of serving Medicaid patients.

McMorris says she would use a similar approach at the federal level to improve access to quality, affordable health care. She wants to find ways to help small businesses pool their resources to provide health care to their employees.

Her opponent, Democrat Don Barbieri of Spokane, is a terrific candidate with an impressive record in the private sector and of civic activism.

But McMorris, an MBA who worked with her family's orchard business, has proven herself effective in the Legislature, skills she no doubt will take with her to Congress.

The Times endorses Cathy McMorris for the 5th Congressional District.