Newhouse survives primary challenge from two Trump-backed candidates – Washington Examiner
Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) has successfully navigated a primary challenge, emerging victorious against two Republican opponents who were endorsed by former President Donald Trump. As reported by the Associated Press, Newhouse will advance to the general election, facing Trump-backed Republican Jerrod Sessler. In the primary, Sessler led with 31.8% of the votes while Newhouse secured 24.1%. A third candidate, Tiffany Smiley, who was also endorsed by Trump, received 19.3% of the votes and will not be moving forward in the campaign. The primary results reflect a significant moment in the political landscape, where Newhouse’s position is tested against the backdrop of Trump’s influence within the Republican Party.
Dan Newhouse survives primary challenge from two Trump-endorsed candidates
Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) survived the primary and bested one of two GOP challengers endorsed by former President Donald Trump, moving to the general election with a Trump-backed Republican opponent.
The Associated Press called the race for Newhouse and Republican Jerrod Sessler on Thursday, two days after the polls closed. Sessler, endorsed by Trump, led the way with 31.8% of the vote, followed by Newhouse with 24.1% of the vote, with 77% of the ballots counted. Tiffany Smiley, another strong GOP challenger who was endorsed by Trump, received 19.3% and will not advance.
Given Washington state’s top-two primary system, two Republicans will face off in the general election for the 4th Congressional District. The closest Democratic challenger, Mary Baechler, received only 14.5% of the vote in the primary.
Newhouse is one of the few remaining House Republicans in office who voted to impeach Trump in 2021. He has represented Washington’s 4th District since 2015. The former president attempted to unseat Newhouse with Sessler in the 2022 primary midterm elections, but Sessler was unsuccessful.
Trump first endorsed Sessler and then threw his support behind Smiley 3 1/2 months later. The former president had called Newhouse a “weak and pathetic RINO,” or “Republican in name only.”
Sessler had brushed off concerns regarding Trump’s double endorsement, arguing he was the only candidate who had support from the House Freedom Caucus and the Washington State Republican Party.
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