Former President Donald Trump has renewed his call to defeat Rep. Dan Newhouse, one of the few Republicans who voted to impeach him. Trump’s endorsement of Jerrod Sessler intensifies the primary race in Washington’s red district, adding pressure to Newhouse’s chances in the upcoming election.
Trump Targets Republican Impeachment Voter Dan Newhouse
In central Washington, Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse faces a challenging re-election campaign after former President Donald Trump renewed his call to oust him. Newhouse, one of only two remaining House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, is now contending with Trump-backed challenger Jerrod Sessler.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to endorse Sessler, criticizing Newhouse for his impeachment vote and labeling him a “Weak and Pathetic RINO.” Trump’s involvement adds significant pressure to Newhouse’s campaign in a district that overwhelmingly supported Trump in the 2020 election.
Newhouse’s Electoral Strategy Faces Risks
Despite Newhouse advancing from Washington’s all-party primary, his success in the general election will rely on his ability to build a coalition of moderate Republicans, Democrats, and independents. However, with Trump rallying support against him, Newhouse risks losing crucial GOP voters, which could jeopardize his chances of re-election.
Newhouse finished 15,000 votes behind Sessler in a competitive five-way primary held in August, but his allies were optimistic about his chances in the general election. They believed defeating more conservative challengers like 2022 Senate nominee Tiffany Smiley would secure Newhouse’s path to victory. However, Trump’s continued attacks may diminish this strategy’s effectiveness.
GOP Primary Dynamics Intensify with Trump’s Involvement
The upcoming election highlights the challenges faced by Republican incumbents who voted to impeach Trump. Newhouse’s situation mirrors that of Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.), who is also locked in a tight race in California’s Central Valley. Both representatives have faced ongoing criticism from Trump-aligned Republicans, and their voting records on impeachment are central to these contests.
While Trump’s endorsements play a key role in swaying Republican voters, the broader coalition of moderate and independent voters could ultimately decide Newhouse’s fate. The race in Washington remains competitive, with Newhouse’s allies hopeful, but Trump’s involvement is undeniably shaping the GOP primary landscape.
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