Why It Matters
Washington state’s 4th Congressional District — a sprawling central Washington seat held by Republican Dan Newhouse for more than a decade — is now an open race, drawing 11 candidates and intense scrutiny over which direction the district will take. With Washington’s broader political landscape shifting, the August primary could signal how aligned the state’s Republican base remains with President Donald Trump’s political orbit.
What Happened
Newhouse announced in December that he would not seek another term after holding the seat since 2014. The district, rated R+10 by the Cook Political Report, spans from the Oregon border to the Canadian border and includes Tri-Cities, Yakima, Moses Lake, and Omak.
Newhouse was among the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot — a decision that defined his political standing in the years since. He narrowly survived a 2024 primary challenge from Jerrod Sessler, finishing second in the primary with 23% of the vote before defeating Sessler in the general election.
Now, 11 candidates are competing for the seat ahead of an August 4 primary. Washington’s top-two primary system means the two highest vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.
The Leading Candidates
Three Republicans are considered the main contenders: Sessler, making another run after his near-upset in 2024; Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney; and Matt Boehnke. Democrats have consolidated behind a single candidate, retired Air Force Maj. John Duresky. Seven additional candidates round out the field, including independents and minor-party entrants.
McKinney, 48, has drawn the most national attention. She has served as Yakima County Commissioner since 2020 and announced her candidacy at AmericaFest in Arizona just four days after Newhouse’s retirement announcement. In a notable signal, Trump has issued his only official congressional endorsement this cycle to McKinney.
The relationship between McKinney and Newhouse has its own history. She recorded a campaign ad on his behalf in 2024, and Newhouse invited her to attend Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress in March 2025. Despite that proximity, McKinney said she was ready to move the district forward. “I stand by that decision, but it was also very clear to me that CD4 was ready for that next generation of leadership,” she said, referring to her past support of Newhouse.
McKinney has pledged to serve no more than 12 years in Congress if elected — the same length of time Newhouse held the seat.
By the Numbers
- 11 candidates on the ballot ahead of the August 4 primary
- R+10 — Cook Political Report’s partisan lean rating for the district
- 23% — Newhouse’s vote share in the 2024 primary, behind Sessler
- 37.2% — the highest vote share any Democrat has managed against Newhouse in a general election since 2014
- 35% — Trump’s approval rating as of Friday, according to an Economist/YouGov tracker
Zoom Out
The race reflects a broader dynamic playing out across competitive Republican primaries nationally: candidates are calibrating their alignment with Trump at a moment when his approval ratings have softened. Todd Schaefer, chair of the political science department at Central Washington University, noted the structural asymmetry in the contest. “Several Republicans are going to split the vote on that side; a Democrat won’t,” he said — a dynamic that could allow Duresky to punch above the historical ceiling Democrats have faced in the district.
The district’s Republican lean remains significant. No Democrat running against Newhouse ever topped 37.2% in a general election, and the Cook rating suggests the seat will almost certainly remain in Republican hands. Still, a crowded GOP primary with fractured support creates unpredictability. Washington state has faced separate political pressures this year, including consecutive budget deficits that have put Olympia’s fiscal management under scrutiny heading into the fall campaign season.
What’s Next
Voters will head to the polls on August 4. The top two finishers, regardless of party, will advance to the November general election. Trump’s endorsement of McKinney and Sessler’s prior momentum make the Republican side of the primary the most competitive variable to watch.