Joe Pakootas, CEO for the Colville Federal Tribal Corporation and former tribal chairman, has announced his intention to run as a Democrat in the race against Republican Rep. Rodgers.

Pakootas touts turning around the fortunes of the Colville business community as one of his accomplishments.

“I've brought that corporation from $8.5 million in the red to $2.3 million in the black within nine months," he said.

Pakootas says in his various role with the tribe, including tribal chairman, he made numerous trips to Washington, D.C. in lobbying efforts with the Congress, working on issues that included negotiating a settlement for the tribe on the Grand Coulee Dam, land settlements, education funding and the Violence Against Women Act.