Former GOP Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley has officially launched her campaign to unseat central Washington Rep. Dan Newhouse, one of the two remaining House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump. Smiley, who previously ran for a Senate seat in 2022 but lost to Democratic Senator Patty Murray, believes that the best way for her to continue her work and deliver change for Washington families is to run for Congress. In Washington’s unique top-two nonpartisan primary system, voters can cast a ballot for any candidate, regardless of party preference, and the top two with the most votes advance to the general election. Newhouse narrowly retained his seat in 2022 due to the large primary field and this system, making him vulnerable to challengers like Smiley.
The entrance of Smiley into the race comes ahead of the primary and after former President Donald Trump endorsed former NASCAR driver Jerrod Sessler as a candidate for the seat. Despite Trump’s backing, Sessler’s fundraising has been low compared to Newhouse, with Sessler raising under $11,000 in the first quarter of 2024 compared to Newhouse’s more than $244,000. Smiley is a strong fundraiser, having raised almost $21 million during her 2022 Senate campaign and is critical of Newhouse for his impeachment vote, which she believes does not represent the Fourth District’s voters. With a strong fundraising history and Trump’s support, Smiley could pose a significant challenge to Newhouse in the upcoming election.
Newhouse’s campaign has responded to Smiley’s candidacy by highlighting issues like threats to dams, border crisis, and the affordability of gas and groceries, stating that it is not the time for Central Washington to lose its influence in Congress. The campaign has also criticized Smiley for her financial management, pointing out that she still has $462,000 in debt from her previous campaign that she is paying down. Despite these challenges, Smiley’s conservative stance as a Trump supporter and her strong fundraising abilities could make her a serious contender in the race against Newhouse. The primary between these candidates and potential others is expected to be competitive given the unique political landscape of Washington’s top-two primary system.
Newhouse is one of the two House Republicans left who voted to impeach Trump, the other being California Rep. David Valadao. The other eight House Republicans who voted to impeach either lost in primaries or chose not to run for reelection. Newhouse, who narrowly kept his seat in 2022, faces a tough battle for reelection against challengers like Smiley and Sessler. Smiley’s announcement to run for Congress after her unsuccessful Senate bid signals her commitment to bring change to Washington families from within the government. With her strong fundraising abilities, conservative values, and support from Trump, Smiley could pose a serious challenge to Newhouse and potentially shift the balance of power in Congress. The race for the 4th Congressional District seat in Washington is set to be closely watched as it unfolds leading up to the primary election.
