SEATTLE (AP) — In the heart of Washington state's political landscape, a pivotal race is unfolding that could redefine the balance of power in Congress. U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, one of the last remaining Republican congressmen who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump, is defending his seat against two conservative challengers who align closely with Trump's policies. This race in the 4th Congressional District is drawing national attention as a barometer of Trump's enduring influence within the GOP.
Newhouse, seeking a sixth term, faces stiff competition from Jerrod Sessler, a Navy veteran and former NASCAR driver endorsed by Trump, and Tiffany Smiley, a former nurse who has made Trump a central focus of her campaign. The district, which stretches from the Canadian border to the Columbia River, is traditionally conservative, but Newhouse's impeachment vote has become a flashpoint in this election cycle.
Political experts are divided on whether Trump's endorsement will sway voters who have previously supported Newhouse. "The Trump impeachment vote and Newhouse’s views about Trump were probably more important two years ago. And yet he survived that primary. And he won pretty handily in the general election," said Cornell Clayton, director of Washington State University’s Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service. "He’s got support in that community."
Sessler and Smiley have both seized on Newhouse's impeachment vote as a major vulnerability. Smiley called Newhouse "absolutely delusional" for thinking he could deliver for the district after publicly splitting with Trump. Meanwhile, Newhouse has largely avoided the subject, focusing instead on issues like agriculture and border security, crucial topics in a state dominated by farming and agricultural industries.
As of July 17, Newhouse had raised $1.6 million, significantly outpacing his opponents. However, under Washington’s primary system, only the top two vote-getters will advance to the November election, regardless of party affiliation, making this a critical contest to watch.
In the 3rd Congressional District, another high-stakes race is developing. Trump-endorsed Joe Kent is attempting to unseat Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who previously defeated him. Kent, a former Green Beret, is facing stiff competition from Leslie Lewallen, a former King County Prosecutor, who is gaining support from conservatives aiming to shift the seat back to a more moderate Republican stance.
The 8th Congressional District, currently held by centrist Democrat Rep. Kim Schrier, has also seen a shake-up with the entry of Imraan Siddiqi, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington. Siddiqi has made the Israel-Hamas war the centerpiece of his platform, potentially complicating Schrier's re-election bid by pushing her to appear more moderate.
These races in Washington state are not just local contests but are indicative of broader national trends and the ongoing struggle within the Republican Party between loyalty to Trump and more traditional conservative values. As these races unfold, they will provide crucial insights into the future direction of American politics.