Trump-backed Sessler overtakes Newhouse in Washington’s 4th District primary

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse has fallen behind in votes against Donald Trump-endorsed challenger Jerrod Sessler in the primary election for Washington state’s 4th Congressional District. The results have set the stage for a conservative showdown in November.

The 4th District covers a significant portion of Central Washington, stretching from the Columbia River to the Canadian border including Okanogan, Douglas, Grant, Adams, Franklin, Benton, Yakima and Walla Walla counties.

Sessler leads with 7,829 more votes than Newhouse, and leads in all counties according to the latest poll.

Newhouse is one of only two House Republicans still in office who voted to impeach Trump for the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. A Sessler victory would oust another Republican who voted for impeachment, potentially leaving no House GOP members who supported Trump’s impeachment.

Days before the primary, Trump took to Truth Social, declaring, “Newhouse has to go,” and called him a “weak and pathetic RINO (Republican in Name Only)… who stupidly voted to impeach me for no reason.”

In 2022, Sessler, a Navy veteran and former NASCAR driver, ran against Newhouse in the 4th District but did not advance past the primaries, finishing fourth. Newhouse ultimately won the November election.

In the 2024 primary, Sessler, who was present in Washington D.C. on January 6 to support Trump, but did not enter the Capitol, gained Trump’s endorsement in April and again three days before ballots were due. He said the endorsement distinguishes him from the other candidates.

“We’re going to continue that momentum into November and retire Dan Newhouse because he’s betrayed our trust. We’re going to send somebody to Washington, D.C., who will stand with President Trump,” said Sessler.

Newhouse responded to the results of the primaries, stating, “We are right where we need to be.” He acknowledged the unusual dynamic of a Republican-on-Republican general election and said there will be the need to distinguish himself from Sessler. Newhouse said he hopes his record of delivering results for Central Washington will resonate with voters.

“I think people will recognize that I’m a pragmatic conservative who represents our district well because I’m a product of Central Washington. I know the issues very well because my constituents’ issues are my issues too,” Newhouse said.

Tiffany Smiley, a former nurse, ran against Democrat U.S Sen. Patty Murray in 2022, and joined the race for the 4th District seat. She entered the race after Trump endorsed Sessler in the spring, with Trump’s endorsement for Smiley coming just three days before the primary election. With 98% of total votes counted for the primary election, Smiley scored more than 27,000 votes, placing third behind Newhouse.

Sessler said as Trump’s co-endorsee to Smiley that he “welcomes the support of her and her voters,” aiming to gain Smiley’s 27,000 votes. Meanwhile nearly 33,000 voters cast their ballots for Democratic candidates representing 23% of the votes in the primary.

This race could serve as a referendum on Trump’s influence within the Republican Party in regions like Central Washington that lean more conservatively based on past voting poll trends. The two candidates will need to appeal to undecided voters to secure the congressional seat.

The two candidates will prepare for the general election, Newhouse building on his experience and connection to the district and Sessler will likely leverage his Trump endorsement and his outsider status. Voters are left with a critical choice in this election and will decide what direction they will take the Washington Republican party in November.

Voting resources:

Oct 18:  Start of 18-day voting period. Ballots are mailed out

Oct 28:  Online and mail registrations must be received eight days before Election day. Register to vote in person during business hours and any time before 8:00 p.m on Election Day

Nov 5:  Deadline for Washington state voter registration (in person only)

General Election: Deposit your ballot in an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Election day

To register to vote visit: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/voter-registration/register-vote-washington-state

Reneé Diaz may be contacted at diaz@wenatcheeworld.com. Collaborative reporting by The Wenatchee World, NWPB and Murrow College of Communication Newsroom Fellowship