Republican who voted to impeach Trump advances in Washington House race

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), one of the last remaining Republicans who voted to impeach former President Trump still in Congress, advanced to the general election in his bid for another term representing Washington’s 4th District, Decision Desk HQ has projected.

Newhouse made it through a crowded primary for the seat in the conservative-leaning district despite significant opposition from members of his own party. Washington uses a nonpartisan blanket primary in which the top two candidates regardless of party advance to the general election in November. 

Newhouse has represented the district since 2015 but became a controversial member within the GOP after he voted in 2021 to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, accusing him of inciting the mob that stormed the Capitol. He joined nine other House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump. 

He faced widespread backlash from those staunchly supportive of Trump, and the former president endorsed one of Newhouse’s primary challengers to him in 2022. But Newhouse was able to overcome the challenge and win reelection, one of only two pro-impeachment House Republicans who won reelection. 

Newhouse faced two Trump-backed opponents this time: former NASCAR driver Jerrod Sessler and former Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley. 

Sessler also had the endorsement of the Washington state GOP and the Republican Party of Douglas County, which includes the 4th District. 

But Newhouse outraised and outspent Sessler and Smiley combined. He will still need to win in November to hang on but will likely be in a decent position to win two more years.