Of the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump in 2021, two are still standing: U.S. Reps.
David Valadao of California’s 22nd District and Dan Newhouse, who represents Central Washington. Some of the challengers vying for Newhouse’s seat this year cite the impeachment vote as a motivating factor to run against him. In 2022, six Republicans opposed Newhouse, splitting the conservative vote.
This time two Republicans, Jerrod Sessler and Tiffany Smiley, are pursuing his seat. Three Democrats – Mary Baechler, “Birdie” Jane Muchlinski and Barry Knowles – want to turn the 4th District blue. Independent Benny “BG3” Garcia and so-called MAGA Democrat John Malan, both pro-Trump, are running outside the two-party system.
The Yakima County Republicans endorsed Sessler in the primary. Matt Brown, chairman of the Yakima County Republicans, said Newhouse’s impeachment vote inspired the endorsement in May. Trump endorsed Sessler on April 12.
This, too, influenced the Yakima County Republicans’ choice. “Our local party is a Trump group and they were like this is a no-brainer for us. We need to support the guy that our president supports,” Brown said.
Smiley didn’t receive Trump or the Yakima County Republicans endorsements on May 14, in part, because she filed right before the deadline in May. “It was kind of sad that she jumped in so late,” said Brown, wishing she filed earlier to be considered in the endorsement process. Smiley ran ag.