Rep. Dan Newhouse, Republican Impeachment Voter, Won’t Seek Re-election
Rep. Dan Newhouse, a Republican from Washington, has announced that he will not run for re-election in 2024. His decision comes after serving in Congress since 2014, where he was notably one of the few Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump.
Newhouse’s Impeachment Vote
Newhouse voted to impeach Trump in 2021, citing the president’s failure to condemn the January 6 riots. He expressed that the attack was incited by misinformation from Trump, stating, “Our country needed a leader, and President Trump failed to fulfill his oath of office.”
Political Landscape
Newhouse is one of only two remaining Republican House members out of ten who voted for impeachment, alongside Rep. David Valadao of California. His district is expected to remain solidly Republican; Trump won it by a margin of 21 points in the 2024 elections.
Upcoming Elections
- Newhouse won re-election in 2022 by 6 percentage points against Trump-backed Jerrod Sessler.
- Sessler, a businessman and former NASCAR driver, plans to run for the same seat in 2026.
- Washington employs a top-two primary system, allowing the top two candidates regardless of party affiliation to advance to the general election.
Jerrod Sessler’s Position
Sessler attended Trump’s speech on January 6 but claimed he did not enter the Capitol. He has defended the rioters and propagated false information regarding the 2020 presidential election.
Looking Forward
In his retirement announcement, Newhouse emphasized gratitude for representing his state and expressed optimism for new opportunities to serve his community. This announcement marks a significant shift in the political dynamics of his district.
