Congressional primary races in Washington state are drawing widespread attention, with one race featuring a U.S. House Republican who voted to impeach Donald Trump facing off against two conservative candidates who align closely with Trump. Another race in the state’s moderate 8th Congressional District sees an upstart campaign by the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations focusing on the Israel-Hamas war. In the 3rd District, Trump-endorsed Joe Kent is challenging Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in what is expected to be a closely contested general election. These races highlight the diverse political landscape in Washington state.
In the 4th Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse is seeking a sixth term and facing challenges from Trump-endorsed candidate Jerrod Sessler and Tiffany Smiley, a former nurse who has made Trump a focal point of her campaign. Despite Trump’s endorsement, it remains uncertain whether this will sway voters who supported Newhouse in the past. Newhouse and one other Republican Congressman are the only ones left among those who voted to impeach Trump, highlighting the internal divisions within the GOP. Newhouse’s approach has been to focus on agricultural and border security issues in his district, which spans from the Canadian border to the Columbia River.
In the 3rd Congressional District, Democrat Gluesenkamp Perez, who defeated Trump-backed candidate Kent two years ago, is facing a tough re-election battle. Kent, armed with Trump’s endorsement once again, is challenged by former King County Prosecutor Leslie Lewallen, who aims to move the seat back into more moderate Republican hands. Kent, a former Green Beret, has called for the impeachment of President Joe Biden, while Gluesenkamp Perez has raised significant funds and supports a range of progressive policies. The race in this district is expected to be closely contested, with both parties vying for control.
In the 8th Congressional District, Imraan Siddiqi has made the war in Gaza a key issue in his campaign against incumbent Rep. Kim Schrier. Siddiqi’s presence has added a new dynamic to the race, potentially making Schrier appear more moderate as she seeks re-election. Schrier, a pediatrician, has highlighted her legislative record, while Siddiqi has criticized her approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The district, which includes wealthy Seattle exurbs and central Washington farmland, has historically been a Republican stronghold. Despite Siddiqi’s traction, experts anticipate a matchup between Schrier and Republican candidate Carmen Goers in the November election.
The primary elections in Washington state utilize a top-two system, where the top two vote-getters in each race advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation. This system adds an element of unpredictability to the races, as candidates from all parties compete for a spot in the final showdown. With a mix of conservative, moderate, and progressive candidates vying for congressional seats, Washington state’s political landscape reflects the broader divisions within the national Republican Party and the ongoing struggle between different factions for control and influence. As the primary races draw to a close, the focus now shifts to the general election, where voters will have the final say in shaping the future of their representation in Congress.
