A Washington Lawmaker Calls It Quits

Rep. Dan Newhouse, a Republican from Washington, has decided not to run again in the next election. He made this choice with no regrets, feeling grateful for his time in Congress. Newhouse is one of the few Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump after the January 6th Capitol attack. He believed Trump did not do enough to stop the violence that day. Newhouse's district is strongly Republican, so his party should have an easy time keeping his seat.Newhouse faced a tough primary challenge last year from Trump-backed candidate Jerrod Sessler. Sessler, a businessman and former NASCAR driver, is running again in 2026. He was in Washington on January 6th but claims he did not enter the Capitol. Sessler has defended the rioters and spread false claims about the 2020 election. This makes the upcoming race interesting, as Sessler's views may not align with all voters in the district. The decision by Newhouse to step aside opens the door for new candidates. It also highlights the ongoing divide within the Republican Party. Some members, like Newhouse, have criticized Trump's actions, while others, like Sessler, continue to support him. This split could shape future elections and the direction of the party.