Washington's 5th congressional district encompasses the Eastern Washington counties of Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Whitman, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin, along with parts of Adams and Franklin.

In presidential elections, the 5th district was once fairly competitive, but in recent years has generally been a safe bet for the Republicans.

John McCain only narrowly won the district in 2008 with 52% of the vote.

The first election in the 5th district was in 1914, won by Democrat Clarence Dill.

Following the 1910 census, Washington gained two seats in the U.S. House, from three to five, but did not reapportion for the 1912 election.