Former President Donald Trump endorsed Jerrod Sessler as a primary challenger to Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington, one of two remaining House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump over his role in the Jan. 6 riot. Trump praised Sessler as a “fantastic candidate” and criticized Newhouse for his impeachment vote. Newhouse, who has been in Congress since 2015, has yet to respond to Trump’s endorsement. This is the second time Trump has tried to oust Newhouse, previously backing Loren Culp in 2022.
Ten House Republicans voted to impeach Trump in 2021, with most of them either choosing not to run again or losing their re-election bid. Rep. David Valadao of California is the other remaining House Republican who supported impeachment. Trump did not endorse a primary challenger against Valadao. Newhouse was able to secure his position in part due to Washington state’s top-two all-party primary system, where Culp came in third behind a Democrat who was later defeated in the general election.
Jerrod Sessler, a former petty officer in the Navy, has been endorsed by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn, GOP campaign adviser Roger Stone, and former Arizona Secretary of State Mark Finchem. Finchem, an election denier who falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, has also supported Sessler. On his campaign website, Sessler accused Newhouse of betraying his voters by joining Democrats in impeaching Trump in 2021. Sessler has also claimed that the Capitol riot was a “set up” in a post on X.
It is notable that Trump did not endorse a primary challenger against Rep. David Valadao of California, the other remaining House Republican who supported his impeachment. Trump has made it a mission to target Republicans who voted against him in the impeachment proceedings. Newhouse, on the other hand, has not yet responded to Trump’s endorsement of Sessler. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the upcoming primary election in Washington’s 4th Congressional District.
The endorsement of Jerrod Sessler by Donald Trump highlights the ongoing influence the former president still holds over the Republican Party. Trump’s backing has the potential to sway voters in the upcoming primary election. Sessler, with his military background and endorsements from prominent Trump allies, may have a good chance of securing the Republican nomination in Washington’s 4th Congressional District. Newhouse, who has served in Congress since 2015, now faces a formidable challenge from within his own party.
Overall, Trump’s endorsement of Jerrod Sessler as a primary challenger to Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington reflects the ongoing division within the Republican Party over the events of Jan. 6 and Trump’s role in them. With the support of influential figures like Michael Flynn and Roger Stone, Sessler may prove to be a strong contender against Newhouse. The outcome of this primary election will be closely watched as it could serve as a barometer of Trump’s continued influence within the GOP leading up to the midterm elections.
