Spokane, WA   August 1, 2008 --The Mark Mays for U.S. Congress Campaign released today two radio advertisements aimed at educating the general voting public about Cathy McMorris Rodgers' record in Congress. "While we think that Cathy is a good and decent person, we believe that her votes in Congress are detrimental to the voters and the residents of the 5th Congressional District in Washington State," said Mark Mays, Democratic nominee for the seat. "The policies of the Bush Economy are eliminating what was the middle class in America, and the divide between the haves and the have nots has grown even larger during her watch. Cathy has voted with President Bush 96% of the time." For example, at a local meeting of supporters of Ron Paul, a Republican Candidate for President of the United States, Cathy and other right-wing candidates discussed the issues in a forum on Monday, July 22, 2008. While her Congressional Mailings, using the Franking Privilege, a Congressional Policy that states that a member of Congress can use the Postal Service for official business at taxpayer expense, state that she is protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, her statements at that forum were quite contradictory, stating that she would like to see cuts in those programs to balance the Federal Budget. "It seems like there are two Cathys. One who is a very personable and nice person here in Washington State, and the other, a Representative who only votes with her party over and above the needs of the constituents back at home," stated Mays. Mays cited her votes against extending Unemployment Insurance for 13 additional weeks, while many counties in her district are suffering from unemployment rates that are well above state and national averages. "I believe that these ads help to highlight her voting record and the ways in which she does not represent her constituency," explained Mays. "America is a great country, but we have great problems. Our nation's problems will not be solved by denial and distraction. We must deal thoughtfully with the challenges of ensuring safety for our country without discarding the values of the constitution. We must work to regain footing for the middle class in America. I am committed to supporting policies that are good for the people of Eastern Washington State, and not just actively support failed policies of any political party."

CLARKSTON, WA July 9, 2008 View video from KLEW-TV.

WASHINGTON D.C. – June 19, 2008 Cathy McMorris-Rodgers last week abandoned working families who work for the Federal Government by voting against granting paid leave for the birth of a child or for the placement of a child with the parent for adoption or foster care.

H.R. 5781, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 passed the House of Representatives last Thursday by a vote of 278-146 and 10 not voting. The act would allow Federal Employees the ability to use accumulated paid leave to attend to their children in the case of birth, adoption, and foster care. Cathy McMorris-Rogers voted against the bill with the most conservative members of the Republican Party and with President George W. Bush.

"It strikes me as odd that Cathy would be against granting employees paid leave especially after having had a child herself last year, without interruption of her own salary. " Stated Mark Mays, Candidate for the 5th Congressional District in Eastern Washington. "That's a very unusual view of what's fair."

The bill has been transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.

SPOKANE, WA June 17, 2008 -- With unemployment claims for the month of May up by 23 percent over last year, Cathy McMorris-Rogers and the Republican party in Congress voted last week to deny an extension of benefits to those most in need.

The current economic downturn is hurting many people across the state, but the hardest hit counties are in Northeast Washington, part of the state represented by Cathy McMorris-Rogers. "In the state as a whole, and in our Congressional district, unemployment is up over last year's numbers," stated Mark Mays, Candidate for Congress. "It amazes me that Cathy is not held accountable for her votes. She clearly is not representing the needs of her district. Instead, she values party loyalty over what is good for her constituency."

Last Wednesday, in the U.S. House of Representatives, by a vote of 279-144 and 11 not voting, H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Act of 2008 was defeated by only three votes, including that of Cathy McMorris- Rogers. The measure was considered under an emergency suspension of the rules, and would have needed 2/3 of the members present and voting to pass, which it nearly had. The measure was passed by the House of Representatives the following day. McMorris-Rogers still voted to deny additional benefits.

The Emergency Extended Unemployment Act will funnel more revenue to the areas hardest hit by the lack of jobs. In effect, combined with the Economic Stimulus package passed by the Democratic Congress, this will give people the means to keep up on their bills, and make new purchases, if needed.

"Nearly 64% of the Representatives in the US House voted in favor of this bill, and was passed by the House the next day. Cathy McMorris-Rogers voted not just against this bill, but against her own constituents who are most harmed by the results of these economic problems. This hurts not only those looking for jobs but unable to find them, it also hurts retailers and all of those in the district who are losing income. It just goes to show how out of touch Cathy is with the average people of Eastern Washington, and the nation as a whole," stated Mays.

WASHINGTON D.C. June 11, 2008 – More families than last year are without jobs in Eastern Washington, and the unemployment rate for many Northeastern Washington State Counties are very high, yet Cathy McMorris-Rogers chooses her friends in Washington over her constituents here at home.

Yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives, by a vote of 279-144 and 11 not voting, H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Act of 2008 was defeated by only three votes. The measure was considered under suspension of the rules, and would have needed 2/3 of the members present and voting to pass.

The Act would have allowed states to contract with the U.S. Department of Labor to extend thirteen weeks of benefits to eligible applicants.

“In some counties within Eastern Washington, 8-10 of every 100 people are relying on Unepmployment Insurance to make ends meet,” Said Mark Mays, Democratic Nominee for Congress in the 5th District. “The economies of these areas are trending lower each year, and that is a concern to me. Shame on Cathy for her blatant disregard for her constituent’s well being.”

The Emergency Extended Unemployment Act would have funneled more revenue to the areas hardest hit by this economic downturn. In effect, combined with the Economic Stimulus package passed by the Democratic Congress, this would have given people the means to keep up on their bills, and make new purchases, if needed.

“Nearly 64% of the Representatives in the US House voted in favor of this bill. It just goes to show how out of touch Cathy is with the average people of Eastern Washington, and the nation,” stated Mays.

The official unemployment numbers for the month of May will be released next Tuesday. “If Eastern Washington trends with the rest of the nation, it looks like unemployment numbers will increase incrementally for that month,” explained Mays. “That makes her vote even more detrimental to the people she is supposed to be representing.”

SPOKANE, WA-May 31, 2008 -- Feeling as though the current Representative is vulnerable in her home district, and among her core constituency, the Mays Campaign is launching a bid to court Eastern Washington moderate Republicans from Cathy McMorris-Rodgers.

"My opponent supports the War in Iraq, has voted for the Patriot Act repeatedly, has voted to create the largest Federal Budget in U.S. History, has refused to defend the Constitutional Balance of Power, and has voted with President George W. Bush 95% of the time. She does not represent the views and values of the people of Eastern Washington," stated Mays.

Mays added, " I will oppose the war in Iraq, and get our troops home as soon as we possibly can. I want to bring our spending on the war within control, and lower the Federal deficit, making fiscal responsibility a priority in Congress. I will make sure that Congress once again has oversight of all of the operations of the government, and will vote to represent the people of Washington State, rather than guarantee my party the vote I will have in Congress."

Recently, several Mays Campaign volunteers have approached moderate Republicans in the area, finding support for their candidate growing among this population. "I just received an email from a long time Republican supporter who told me that he is voting for Mark because there are real changes that need to be made on Capitol Hill." Said Chad Radock, Mays' Campaign Manager. . "We've just updated our website, votemarkmays.com, supporters are signing up every day, and our list of donors is growing. Its exciting!"

SPOKANE, WA, May 17, 2008 -- “Our campaign has gotten off to a great start,” exclaimed Mays!

The Democratic Nominating Convention for Washington’s 5th Congressional District was held today at the Trent Elementary School in Spokane Valley, WA.

According to Democratic Party rules, the Precinct Committee Officers (PCO’s) from throughout the 5th district elect the official Democratic Nominee for Congress. According to the same rules, only the nominee of the party can officially use the Democratic name in the Primary Election.

In the cramped foyer of the Trent Elementary school, 80% of the Precinct Committee Officers present and voting chose to nominate Mark Mays, a Spokane Psychologist and Lawyer, to be the Party’s standard bearer in the race. “I was pleased and humbled for my candidacy to be so strongly endorsed by my party. The enthusiasm and support we’ve received has been amazing, and shows that people here want a lot more from the person they send to Congress than perky smiles and bad votes,” said Mays.

Mays added, “The size of the turnout was unexpectedly large, and shows the excitement people from Eastern Washington have for electing a new voice who can make a difference, and benefit our citizens. It’s a statement that people here are just sick and tired of my opponent just going along with the policies of the Bush administration in such a thoughtless and partisan way.”

Recently, the Mays Campaign has recently gathered the endorsements of the Spokane County Central Democratic Committee; the Washington State Young Democrats, the Spokane Regional and the Washington State Labor Councils; the United Food Commercial Workers, local 1439; and the Spokane Fire Fighters Local 29, IAFF.