Key Takeaways
- Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., announced his decision not to seek re-election next year
- Newhouse was one of the few Republicans in Congress who voted to impeach President Donald Trump
- His seat is likely to remain in Republican hands, with Trump winning the district by 21 percentage points in 2024
- Newhouse’s decision to retire comes after he won re-election by 6 percentage points last year, despite losing the GOP primary to Trump-backed Jerrod Sessler
- Sessler is running in the district again in 2026 and has defended Jan. 6 rioters and spread debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election
Introduction to Rep. Dan Newhouse’s Decision
Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., one of the few Republicans in Congress who voted to impeach President Donald Trump, announced Wednesday that he would not seek re-election next year. In a statement posted to his X account, Newhouse wrote that his decision to retire from Congress "comes with no reservations or remorse, only gratitude for the tremendous opportunity to have represented my home state in Congress." He added that he looks "forward to this new chapter and way I can continue to serve my community and this great nation," and thanked his family "for their steadfast love and support." This decision marks the end of an era for Newhouse, who has been a prominent figure in Washington state politics since his election in 2014.
Background on Newhouse’s Impeachment Vote
Newhouse was one of the last two remaining House Republicans, alongside Rep. David Valadao of California, who voted to impeach Trump in 2021 over his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. At the time, Newhouse said he was voting to impeach Trump because "the mob was inflamed by the language and misinformation of the President of the United States." He also stated that Trump "did not strongly condemn the attack nor did he call in reinforcements when our officers were overwhelmed. Our country needed a leader, and President Trump failed to fulfill his oath of office." Newhouse’s decision to vote for impeachment was a significant moment in his career, and it has had lasting implications for his political future.
The Impact of Newhouse’s Retirement
Newhouse’s seat is one that Republicans likely won’t struggle to hold. Trump won the district by 21 percentage points in 2024, and the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race "Solid Republican." Newhouse won re-election by 6 percentage points last year, beating Trump-backed Jerrod Sessler in the general election after Sessler beat him in the GOP primary. Washington uses a top-two primary system, meaning the top two vote-getters in a primary move onto the general election, regardless of party. This system has created an interesting dynamic in the district, with Sessler, a businessman and former NASCAR driver, running in the district again in 2026. The primary is set to take place in August, and it will be an important test for Sessler and other candidates vying for the seat.
Jerrod Sessler’s Candidacy
Sessler, who is also a Navy veteran, has said that he was in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, and attended Trump’s speech. He said that he did not enter the Capitol that day. However, Sessler has defended Jan. 6 rioters, including those who were prosecuted — and pardoned by the president earlier this year — for their actions at the Capitol that day. He’s called them "innocent Americans" and has spread debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election. Sessler’s candidacy has raised concerns among some Republicans, who are worried about his extreme views and potential impact on the party’s reputation. Despite these concerns, Sessler remains a formidable candidate, and his Trump-backed candidacy will likely be a major factor in the upcoming primary.
The Broader Implications
Newhouse’s retirement and Sessler’s candidacy are part of a larger trend in the Republican Party, where candidates who are loyal to Trump are often rewarded, while those who are critical of him are punished. This dynamic has created a challenging environment for Republicans like Newhouse, who have spoken out against Trump’s actions. The upcoming primary in Washington state will be an important test of this trend, and it will be interesting to see how voters respond to Sessler’s candidacy. Meanwhile, other Republicans, like Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, are facing similar challenges in their own primaries. Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump, is facing a crowded GOP primary field, including candidates who have criticized his decision. The outcome of these primaries will have significant implications for the future of the Republican Party and its relationship with Trump.
