Washington's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 top-two primary)
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| Washington's 4th Congressional District |
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 |
| Top-two primary General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: May 10, 2024 |
| Primary: August 6, 2024 General: November 5, 2024 |
| How to vote |
| Poll times: Poll opening hours vary; close at 8 p.m. Voting in Washington |
| Race ratings |
DDHQ and The Hill: Safe Republican Inside Elections: Solid Republican Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2024 |
| See also |
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th Washington elections, 2024 U.S. Congress elections, 2024 U.S. Senate elections, 2024 U.S. House elections, 2024 |
Incumbent Rep. Dan Newhouse (R) and Jerrod Sessler (R) advanced from the top-two primary for Washington's 4th Congressional District on August 6, 2024. Click here for more details on the results. The general election was held on November 5, 2024.
Eight candidates ran in the top-two primary. Three candidates led in media attention and campaign finance: Newhouse, Sessler, and Tiffany Smiley (R).
This election took place against the backdrop of Newhouse’s vote in 2021 to impeach then-President Donald Trump for incitement of insurrection. Of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, Newhouse and Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) were, at the time of the election, the only ones still serving in Congress.
On his vote to impeach Trump, Newhouse said, "Some people are still very adamant in their opposition to me because of that, but I gotta tell you, there are a lot of people that will come up to me and say, 'Hey Dan maybe I disagree with that one vote but I support you on all the other things you're doing, I'm beyond that.'"[1]
Newhouse was first elected to the U.S. House in 2014 after defeating Clint Didier (R) 50.8% to 49.2%. Before serving in Congress, he was Washington's Director of Agriculture from 2009 to 2013. Newhouse's campaign website described him as "a leading conservative voice for Central Washington and our rural communities."[2] Newhouse said he is running for re-election to "keep the American dream alive for generations to come."[3]
Sessler’s professional experience included working as a NASCAR driver and an entrepreneur.[4] In 2022, Sesler ran in the top-two primary election for Washington's 4th Congressional District. Newhouse defeated Sessler 25.5% to 12.3% in a field of eight candidates. Sessler said he ran because "we need more regular people with knowledge of how our civic structure works in America to stand up and be a part of for example the House of Representatives."[5] Trump and the Washington State Republican Party endorsed Sessler.[6]
Smiley’s professional experience included working as a nurse. She also served as the president and co-founder of Hope Unseen LLC, a public speaking forum.[7] In 2022, Smiley ran against incumbent Patty Murray (D) for the U.S. Senate. Murray defeated Smiley, 57.1% to 42.6%. Smiley said she ran because “we need someone in Congress who can be a reliable vote to help get President Trump’s agenda through Congress—something that would not be possible with the current WA-04 representation.”[8]
Ballotpedia provided race forecasts from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. To see how each outlet rated the general election, click here.
Mary Baechler (D), Benny Garcia (Independent Party), Barry Knowles (D), and Jane Muchlinski (D) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.
This page focuses on Washington's 4th Congressional District's top-two primary. For more in-depth information on the district's general election, see the following page:
Candidates and election results
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 4
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 4 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jerrod Sessler (R) | 33.1 | 51,020 |
| ✔ |  | Dan Newhouse (R) | 23.4 | 36,073 |
 | Tiffany Smiley (R) | 19.3 | 29,761 | |
 | Mary Baechler (D)  | 14.5 | 22,353 | |
 | Jane Muchlinski (D) | 6.2 | 9,593 | |
 | Barry Knowles (D) | 2.2 | 3,329 | |
 | Benny Garcia (Independent Party) | 0.9 | 1,389 | |
| John Malan (MAGA Democrat Party) | 0.5 | 711 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 98 | ||
| Total votes: 154,327 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Voting information
- See also: Voting in Washington
Candidate comparison
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: Yes
Political Office:
- U.S. House of Representatives, District 4 (Assumed office: 2015)
- Washington House of Representatives, District 15 (2003-2009)
Biography: Newhouse received a bachelor's degree from Washington State University. His professional experience included operating his family's farm. Newhouse also served as the Director of Washington State's Department of Agriculture from 2009 to 2013.
Show sources
Sources: Dan Newhouse campaign website, "Agriculture," accessed May 27, 2024; Dan Newhouse campaign website, "Securing the Border," accessed May 27, 2024; Dan Newhouse campaign website, "Veterans," accessed May 27, 2024; Dan Newhouse campaign website, "About Dan," accessed May 27, 2024; Dan Newhouse official website, "About," May 27, 2024
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Washington District 4 in 2024.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Mary Baechler has been a businesswoman, an entrepreneur and a grass roots community organizer with almost 40 years in the Yakima Valley. She was one of the co-founders and CEO of the Baby Jogger Company, Yakima’s innovative stroller business, creating more than 400 jobs in 18 years. Baby Jogger employees provided extraordinary customer service and built world class running strollers. Mary has worked as a community organizer, focusing on voting and water issues in the Yakima area; she also worked as the Planner in Economic Development for Yakama Nation, and during the Covid-19 pandemic, worked for Public Health as a Communicable Disease investigator. Mary brings a wealth of experience and a focus on job creation. Mary ran for Congress in the 4th Congressional District in 2012, running against incumbent Doc Hastings."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Washington District 4 in 2024.
Party: Independent Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Benny "BG3" Garcia: 5th candidate listed on August Primary Ballot fill in Box with Black Ink. Combat Veteran Retired U.S. Army | Teacher | 10 Years Loan Specialist U.S.D.A. | City Treasurer | Agriculture Field Worker | Union Laborer Worker Seattle / Tri cities | Yakima County Veterans Coalition Board Member 2 Terms | Small Business Owner | Protecting Voters Rights | Ebony Senate Representative Y.V.C.C. | Central Washington University Law & Justice Degree The only *Combat Veteran, running for U.S. Congress WA04 District and Retired U.S. Army. The only candidate protecting Voter's Rights. Topic 14th Amendment | Legislative Redistricting | Voting Rights Act: * Case Garcia vs Hobbs, against the illegal racial gerrymandering of the 15th District. The case is pending and went to the U.S. Supreme Court. The American Redistricting Project. During campaigning 2022 Saved the life of Travis Miller, shooting victim of gang members at Sunnyside Cinco De Mayo. Awarded Civilian Hero Award. Video is on website: http://vote4bennygarciaforcongress.us Community Contributions: Yakima County Veterans Coalition Program Board Member - Two Terms. Federal- U.S. House Representative Award (Doc Hasting 2009) United States Department of Agriculture Award for Superior Performance in Fiscal Year 2013. Military Awards: Graduated with Honors at Fort Knox, KY. M1-A1 Abrahms Tanker. Army Achievement Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Washington District 4 in 2024.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Voters should be angry at what our country has become. I am. We’re afraid to leave doors unlocked, to be assaulted by drug addicted, or mentally ill individuals wandering the streets, and to send children to public schools in fear of indoctrination over gender fluidity and subject’s we don’t agree with. Were stunned at gas and grocery prices. We fear people entering our country with no vetting or disease control. Government policies are destroying the farming industry. The America I grew up in didn’t stand for these things, didn’t tolerate this behavior in our citizens or representatives. We keep electing the same politicians, who promise to change things. It’s getting worse. I am going to give you a chance to elect someone like yourself to this office. I am a home grown, hard working middle-class American. I don’t toe a party line. I am not a career politician. I always step up when needed. I was taught to work hard, every day, and to treat people fairly and respectfully. I know how lucky I was to be born in this country, and for that I owed something. So, I served. Give me your trust today and you will not be disappointed with my performance as your representative. I can’t be bought. I’m relentless and tireless when working. I don’t give up. I will legislate hard to control our border, protect our farming industry, divert more money to public assistance, to stop the flow of fentanyl into our neighborhoods, to purge our education system of pornography and gender discussions"
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Washington District 4 in 2024.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "As a girl from E. Idaho, I can relate to getting up at 3:00am to pick peas alongside migrant field workers. My summers were spent siftin’ through spuds on the conveyor belt on the farm. Riding my bike down the rows of freshly plowed potato fields with the sprinklers on-man we’d get muddy. Hiding from Ofc Craig while skipping school to cliff jump into the Snake River on hot fall days. My childhood was filled with country life experiences. My dad, a navy guy with a background in laser tech, moved us to ABQ, NM for a job at Intel. “This is a broader world” I remember thinking. And my heart exploded with admiration for diversity and various ways of living. Culture and art tapped my creative spirit and fortified my compassion for all humans. Adulthood employment brought me to the Ford dealership. At 18, I learned never take a job without health insurance. Ever. Now, still with health insurance and strength and know-how to bust a tire, I may choose heels, a dress, the big city, and glass of wine, but my family, friends, and neighbors deserve to have their piece of country heaven. What’s different between me and my conservative counterparts, is they want this life for only them. Whereas I believe this slower lifestyle is a gift for those of us living it and a treat for our cousins from afar that come visit. This country is bold, and we know how to share. All we have to do is choose to share our country values and remind ourselves what faith truly means. The world is big enough."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Washington District 4 in 2024.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Sessler received a bachelor's degree from Kennedy Western University. His professional experience included working as a NASCAR driver, a business owner, and an author. Sessler served in the United States Navy from 1987 to 1995.
Show sources
Sources: Jerrod Sessler campaign YouTube, "Farms," July 8, 2022; Jerrod Sessler campaign YouTube, "Illegal Immigration," July 8, 2022; Jerrod Sessler campaign YouTube, "What is the purpose of US military," July 9, 2022; Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 20, 2021
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Washington District 4 in 2024.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Smiley received a bachelor's degree from Whitmore College. Her professional experience included working as a nurse. She co-founded and served as president Hope Unseen, a public speaking forum.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Washington District 4 in 2024.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
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Mary Baechler (D)
We all want a good future for our children. We need to protect our planet for our children; we need to address climate change, and this will create green new jobs. Remember the smoke from the wildfires every summer? None of us wants that. We can take positive steps, like planting trees, with organizations like Sugi. We need to work to stop climate change to protect families, family farms and the farmworkers.
Preserve Women’s Rights
Women should be free to make their healthcare decisions without interference. By funding contraceptive access and comprehensive sexual health education, we can reduce the need for accidental pregnancies and abortions. The countries with the lowest abortion rates are the ones that have comprehensive healthcare, including OB/GYN services.
Affordable Housing
Benny Garcia (Independent)
50 No Federal Taxes for small business, farmers, and household income under $500,000.
I believe that the voter should pay no federal and keep their money for retirement. As a small business owner (managing flea market.)
On Sunday's, I work with many vendors who sale, food, clothing, tools, sound equipment and so on. I've learned to be successful by working as a team player. Many vendors work the fields six days a week and on Sunday, work again at the flea market to have a better future in this challenging economy. I bring leadership to assist on making that happen. Hard working Americans should keep more of their own money to invest, leave a legacy, and keep peace of mind.
Campaign Main Point #2 - Oil Back Dollar Commodity
Article I, Section 10, Clause 1: Gold and Silver in payments of debt. The framers of this country clearly understood that commodity base dollar was existential to future of our economy, development, global standing and paying our government debts.
Returning back to commodity base dollar is critical. A New Oil Base Dollar, would strengthen our promise to our national entitlements, social security, medicare, and government retirements.
The New Oil Base Dollar, would allow our government to renegotiate debt with China who owns over 20% of our national debt.
Complete audit of the Federal Reserve. to determine our weakness on being able to borrow, lend, and lead to a balanced budget.
Campaign Main Point #3 - No Draft / WW3
The twenty-year wars of Iraq and Afghanistan crippled our U.S. Treasury. As a combat veteran of O.I.F. II. I was eager to strike our enemy for 9/11. Patriotism lead the way, but I should have asked a question.
What is the winning objective. Government should have told the American people the clear definition of what victory is and have clearer oversite on monies spent for war. The government spent 10 trillion dollars and no winning objective of victory.
Teaching, high school students' I remind them of Vietnam. How the draft of our young people took many of color and poor white southerners. Those that couldn't afford college went to war at Vietnam. I believe in Peace through Strength.
Barry Knowles (D)
The America I grew up in didn’t stand for these things, didn’t tolerate this behavior in our citizens or representatives. We keep electing the same, politicians, who promise to change things. Elect a non politician regular citizen like you, like me
I am a home grown, hard working middle-class American. I don’t toe a party line. I am not a career politician. I always step up when needed. I was taught to work hard, every day, and to treat people fairly and respectfully. I know how lucky I was to be born in this country, and for that I owed something. So, I served. Give me your trust today and you will not be disappointed with my performance as your representative.
I can’t be bought. I’m relentless and tireless when working. I don’t give up. I will legislate hard to control our border, protect our farming industry, divert more money to public assistance, to stop the flow of fentanyl into our neighborhoods, to purge our education system of pornography and gender discussions.
. The flooding of our country by illegal immigrants, the devaluation of the US dollar and our world status. The degradation of society from massive fentanyl being allowed into our neighborhoods. Chaos is a political tool, and we need to realize it is being used on us today.
Jane Muchlinski (D)
I often hear adults sharing their discomfort about the work ethic and abilities of young people today and how disconnected young people are with the real world. I argue we have it all wrong. Young people are so connected. They understand the struggles in humanity because they’ve been exposed to content we avoid. They’re cognizant of everything that’s going on around them because they’re safe spaces are targets of harm. This is why I gather them to listen to their needs and allow them to share their gratitude and needs. Their biggest concerns/needs are stable housing, functioning public transportation, clean air and water, safety of their siblings, jobs for their parents, and a future without war and unbearable college debt.
I’m an optimist so I believe MOST people work hard - at all levels - and for every cent earned. We’re all different. We’re all here together. We all have value. And we all have a place…even at the negotiating table. That’s what makes the labor forces so inspiring. It’s what makes this country so wonderful to live in. Our goals are the same. To build ourselves, community, state, nation. UNION - Latin unio(n-) ‘unity’, from Latin unus ‘one’.
Mary Baechler (D)
Women's right for reproductive freedom Reducing costs on food, housing, gas, childcare for families
Lowering taxes for middle class American families
Benny Garcia (Independent)
50 No Federal Taxes. For those making under $500,000. I believe this will allow growth and strength into our economy, for small business, farmers, and those looking toward retirement. I trust in the silent majority.
Economy: Our debt is a national crisis of 34 trillion dollars. I believe that going to oil base dollar, will strengthen our country for the better. Drill Baby Drill!
Education: Our youth and children need a sound education of reading, writing, mathematics, science, american history, and computer science. Our youth must learn to be competitive.
Military: Our military must be similar larger to defend our country.
Border Security:
We must protect our borders and ensure possible citizenship are not a threat to us.
Barry Knowles (D)
90 percent of the drugs creating our homeless problems are coming across the southern border.
We do not have a homeless problem we have a drug and mental illness problem.
We need to once again be energy independent and stand in Chinas way of becoming the biggest world power
The government needs to take back control of making law from government agencies such as the EPA and returning it to the legislative body
Term limits would make our country stronger
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
My Father being a Vietnam combat veteran. He served with the U.S. Army Airborne Ranger 75th Regiment. Did two-half tours at Vietnam before being wounded on his final mission. Knows three fluent languages and hard-as-hell.
My Mother extremely, hardworking, loving, and religious individual.
Finaly, my wife Marisela G. Garcia,
For being my best friend, protecting my six, and love of my life. Thank you for sharing your life with me. Ditto!
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
I struggled with her decision to stay with President Clinton, but her choice was to uphold her commitment to her marriage. She was living her faith and once I saw her decision in that light, I respected her even more.She's been an advocate for women and children since she was in high school. Her direction has never sidelined. She demonstrates strength and smarts in a traditionally male dominated arena. Her toughness has allowed me to see what is possible.
Benny Garcia (Independent)
M. Sgt. Roy P. Benavidez, USA SF (Ret.) Medal of Honor: One Man's Journey From Poverty And Prejudice.
16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln: The President Archives Lincoln by Chuck Wills. Chapter 6 Page 82 "The dogmas of the quit past are inadequate to the stormy present...we must rise to the occasion."
Insider trading and Congress: How lawmakers get rich from the stock market. (CNBC : Brian Clark) October 22,2020
All the Queen's Horses: Documentary on City Treasurer of Dixon, Illinois Rita Crundwell stealing of more than $50 million dollars. (2017 Documentary \nKelly Richmond Pope.)
Barry Knowles (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
I learned in marriage, that we may not agree on the same cup of coffee, but if we agree on 80%, we make a great marriage.
We The People - Term Limits The repercussions not having term limits. Both parties have made a mess of this great country. Examples: foreign policy, unlimited spending, no border protection, central banking, racial division, continual wars, and monopolized two-party system.
It is time to move toward term limits of all elected political officials. If we have a term limit for President (Executive Office) then now is the time for U.S. Senators, and House Representatives (Legislative Office).
Office of Public Service - Stop Insider Trading Our elected officials must stop trading on individual stocks to benefit from insider trading. The law makers know what regulations are percolating in the coffee pot. This allows those public servants to act like vampires of the knowledge of insider trading with laws or regulations impacting stock. It must end.
Inspired Leaders: 35th U.S. President JohnF. Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country"?
President Kennedy wanted peace with Soviet Union. The two superpowers of the world. The Cuba missile crises almost lead to nuclear war. But his leadership prevented that outcome.
39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Completed Egypt-Israel peace treaty signed March 26, 1979. Unfortunately, this treaty leads Anwar Sadat, assassination by Egyptian Islamic Jihad. This treaty ensures that peace is possible between Israel.
40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Peace through Strength.
45th U.S. President Donald J. Trump,
The Abraham Accords normalized relations with United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Bahrain.
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
But after 9/11 my life changed forever. I have been educated and worked in government for 10 years with many other opportunities.
I volunteered for combat and later joined my old unit at Fort Lewis. I got med-vac my 9th month in Iraq. Spent three-half years with the wounded warriors. During my time there I worked on my master's in education, at Heritage University.
One of the highlights, of my military time was having an interview with the C.I.A. for position of para-military operations overseas. It was cool!
I later worked for the United States Department of Agriculture, as a loan specialist for home loans and home repair program. I did approximately 1,000 home loans through GRH Program. Also, a community development specialist.
I have a case at the U.S. Supreme Court Garcia vs Hobbs. Protecting the U.S. Constitution. Against the illegal racial gerrymandering of the 15th District at Washington State,
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
The repercussions not having term limits. Both parties have made a mess of this great country. Examples: foreign policy, unlimited spending, no border protection, central banking, racial division, continual wars, and monopolized two-party system.
It is time to move toward term limits of all elected political officials. If we have a term limit for President (Executive Office) then now is the time for U.S. Senators, and House Representatives (Legislative Office).
Office of Public Service - Stop Insider Trading
Our elected officials must stop trading on individual stocks to benefit from insider trading. The law makers know what regulations are percolating in the coffee pot. This allows those public servants to act like vampires of the knowledge of insider trading with laws or regulations impacting stock. It must end.
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
I will never forget.
Thank You!
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
As a representative, I would prioritize ensuring that revenue bills promote fiscal responsibility. This includes careful consideration of tax policies and government spending to avoid wasteful spending. I would advocate for balanced budgets and effective use of taxpayer dollars. I would focus on revenue policies that stimulate economic growth. This might involve advocating for tax reforms that incentivize investment, innovation, and job creation. Ensuring a fair and equitable tax system would be a cornerstone of my legislative efforts. I would work to close loopholes and ensure that everyone pays their fair share, while also protecting low- and middle-income families from undue tax burdens. Revenue bills are directly tied to funding essential social programs and services. I would prioritize revenue policies that ensure adequate funding for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other critical public services. Balancing these needs with fiscal prudence would be a key focus. Understanding the specific economic challenges and opportunities within my district would guide my approach to revenue bills. I would seek input from constituents and local businesses to ensure that revenue policies reflect their needs and promote local economic health. I would be open to exploring innovative revenue solutions, such as carbon taxes or digital economy taxes, that address emerging economic trends and challenges. Ensuring that the tax system adapts to a changing economy would be an important goal. Recognizing the importance of revenue bills, I would strive to work across the aisle to develop bipartisan solutions that garner broad support. Collaboration with colleagues would be essential to passing effective and sustainable revenue legislation.
I would aim to promote a balanced, fair, and forward-looking fiscal policy that supports economic growth, social equity, and responsible governance.
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Open up the oil fields of American to create oil backed dollar. Drill Baby Drill!
Housing and Urban Affairs: Create affordable housing for all eligible Americans.
Agriculture:
Purchase all China, purchased agriculture fields to be auctioned off to American citizens.
Barry Knowles (D)
Jane Muchlinski (D)
Mary Baechler (D)
Benny Garcia (Independent)
Barry Knowles (D)
Campaign advertisements
Dan Newhouse
View more ads here:
Jerrod Sessler
| May 5, 2024 |
View more ads here:
Tiffany Smiley
| May 6, 2024 |
View more ads here:
Endorsements
Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.
Election competitiveness
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. No polls were available for this election. To notify us of polls published in this election, please email us.
Race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[9]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[10][11][12]
| Race ratings: Washington's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
| November 5, 2024 | October 29, 2024 | October 22, 2024 | October 15, 2024 | ||||||
| The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | |||||
| Decision Desk HQ and The Hill | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | |||||
| Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | |||||
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | |||||
| Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week. | |||||||||
Election spending
Campaign finance
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Newhouse | Republican Party | $2,512,739 | $2,422,533 | $104,807 | As of December 31, 2024 |
| Mary Baechler | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Barry Knowles | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Jane Muchlinski | Democratic Party | $12,676 | $12,676 | $0 | As of September 30, 2024 |
| Jerrod Sessler | Republican Party | $782,004 | $715,569 | $68,481 | As of December 31, 2024 |
| Tiffany Smiley | Republican Party | $1,068,852 | $1,046,789 | $22,062 | As of December 31, 2024 |
| Benny Garcia | Independent Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| John Malan | MAGA Democrat Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
|
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2024. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." |
|||||
Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[13][14]
If available, satellite spending reports by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and OpenSecrets.org are linked below. FEC links include totals from monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual reports. OpenSecrets.org compiles data from those reports as well as 24- and 48-hour reports from the FEC.[15]
Details about satellite spending of significant amounts and/or reported by media are included below those links. The amounts listed may not represent the total satellite spending in the election. To notify us of additional satellite spending, email us.
| By candidate | By election |
|---|---|
Quarterly campaign finance analysis
Fourth quarter, 2023
Incumbent Dan Newhouse (R) raised the most money in the top-two primary for Washington’s 4th Congressional District, taking in $664,380 since the start of the campaign cycle.
Newhouse raised $153,890 in the fourth quarter of 2023. Jerrod Sessler (R) raised the next most in the primary, with $ 71,707 since the start of the campaign and $4,465 in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The top-two primary was scheduled for August 6. Two candidates raised a combined $736,087 through Dec. 31, 2023. Looking at all 125 congressional battlegrounds we tracked, this was less than the average of $3.41 million.
In battlegrounds with incumbents running, Newhouse raised less than the average of $1.41 million. At this point in the 2022 election cycle, Newhouse raised $270,750.
Seven candidates raised a combined $4.01 million running in Washington’s 4th Congressional District in 2022, while five raised $1.25 million in 2020.
Below is how much each candidate raised and spent during the 2023-2024 election cycle:
Looking at Newhouse and Sessler alone:
- 73 donors donated to Newhouse’s campaign in quarter four.
- Of those 73, the largest share, 22 (30%), donated between $100 and $499.
- 25 donors donated to Sessler’s campaign in quarter four.
- Of those 25, the largest share, 13 (52%), donated between $25 and $49.
District analysis
Click the tabs below to view information about voter composition, past elections, and demographics in both the district and the state.
- District map - A map of the district in place for the election.
- Competitiveness - Information about the competitiveness of 2024 U.S. House elections in the state.
- Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the district and the state.
- State party control - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
Below was the map in use at the time of the election. Click the map below to enlarge it.
This section contains data on U.S. House primary election competitiveness in Washington.
| Washington U.S. House competitiveness, 2014-2024 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Districts/ offices |
Seats | Open seats | Candidates | Possible primaries | Contested top-two primaries | % of contested primaries | Incumbents in contested primaries | % of incumbents in contested primaries | |||||
| 2024 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 62 | 10 | 10 | 100.0% | 8 | 100.0% | |||||
| 2022 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 68 | 10 | 10 | 100.0% | 10 | 100.0% | |||||
| 2020 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 73 | 10 | 10 | 100.0% | 9 | 100.0% | |||||
| 2018 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 49 | 10 | 8 | 80.0% | 7 | 77.8% | |||||
| 2016 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 56 | 10 | 10 | 100.0% | 9 | 100.0% | |||||
| 2014 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 49 | 10 | 10 | 100.0% | 9 | 100.0% | |||||
Post-filing deadline analysis
The following analysis covers all U.S. House districts up for election in Washington in 2024. Information below was calculated on June 4, 2024, and may differ from information shown in the table above due to candidate replacements and withdrawals after that time.
Sixty-two candidates ran for Washington’s 10 U.S. House districts, including 26 Democrats, 25 Republicans, three Independents, and eight non-major party candidates. That’s an average of 6.2 candidates per district. That’s lower than the 6.8 candidates per district in 2022 and the 7.3 in 2020.
The 5th and 6th Congressional Districts were open in 2024, meaning no incumbents ran for re-election. That’s the most open districts in an election cycle this decade.
Incumbent Reps. Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-05) and Derek Kilmer (D-06) did not run for re-election because they retired from public office.
Eleven candidates—five Democrats and six Republicans—ran for the open 5th Congressional District, the most candidates who ran for a seat in Washington in 2024.
All 10 primaries were contested in 2024. Between 2022 and 2014, an average of 9.6 primaries were contested per year.
Eight incumbents—seven Democrats and one Republican—were in contested primaries in 2024. Between 2022 and 2014, an average of 8.8 incumbents were in contested primaries per year.
No districts were guaranteed to either party because Democratic and Republican candidates filed to run in all 10 districts. Washington utilizes a top-two primary system. In a top-two primary system, all candidates are listed on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of their partisan affiliations, advance to the general election.Partisan Voter Index
Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+13. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 13 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Washington's 1st the 108th most Democratic district nationally.[16]
2020 presidential election results
The table below shows what the vote in the 2020 presidential election would have been in this district. The presidential election data was compiled by Daily Kos.
| 2020 presidential results in Washington's 1st based on 2024 district lines | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Joe Biden 
|
Donald Trump
| |||
| 64.0% | 33.3% | |||
Inside Elections Baselines
- See also: Inside Elections
Inside Elections' Baseline is a figure that analyzes all federal and statewide election results from the district over the past four election cycles. The results are combined in an index estimating the strength of a typical Democratic or Republican candidate in the congressional district.[17] The table below displays the Baseline data for this district.
| Inside Elections Baseline for 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Baseline
|
Republican Baseline
|
Difference | ||
| 58.9 | 40.3 | D+18.6 | ||
Presidential voting history
Washington presidential election results (1900-2020)
- 17 Democratic wins
- 13 Republican wins
- 1 other win
| Year | 1900 | 1904 | 1908 | 1912 | 1916 | 1920 | 1924 | 1928 | 1932 | 1936 | 1940 | 1944 | 1948 | 1952 | 1956 | 1960 | 1964 | 1968 | 1972 | 1976 | 1980 | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | 1996 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winning Party | R | R | R | P[18] | D | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | D | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Congressional delegation
The table below displays the partisan composition of Washington's congressional delegation as of May 2024.
| Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Washington | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | U.S. Senate | U.S. House | Total |
| Democratic | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Republican | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Independent | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vacancies | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 10 | 12 |
State executive
The table below displays the officeholders in Washington's top four state executive offices as of May 2024.
| State executive officials in Washington, May 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Office | Officeholder |
| Governor | Jay Inslee
|
| Lieutenant Governor | Denny Heck
|
| Secretary of State | Steve Hobbs
|
| Attorney General | Bob Ferguson
|
State legislature
Washington State Senate
| Party | As of NFebruary 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 29 | |
| Republican Party | 20 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 49 | |
Washington House of Representatives
| Party | As of February 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 58 | |
| Republican Party | 40 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 98 | |
Trifecta control
The table below shows the state's trifecta status from 1992 until the 2024 election.
Washington Party Control: 1992-2024
Eighteen years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R[19] | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| House | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | S | S | S | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Election context
Ballot access requirements
The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Washington in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Washington, click here.
| Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source |
| Washington | U.S. House | Ballot-qualified candidates | 1,740[20] | $1,740.00 | 5/10/2024 | Source |
| Washington | U.S. House | Unaffiliated candidates | 1,000 | N/A | 8/2/2024 | Source |
District election history
2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Washington District 4
Incumbent Dan Newhouse defeated Doug White in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 4 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dan Newhouse (R) | 66.5 | 150,619 |
 | Doug White (D) | 31.2 | 70,710 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.3 | 5,318 | ||
| Total votes: 226,647 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 4
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 4 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dan Newhouse (R) | 25.5 | 38,331 |
| ✔ | | Doug White (D) | 25.1 | 37,760 |
 | Loren Culp (R) | 21.6 | 32,497 | |
| Jerrod Sessler (R) | 12.3 | 18,495 | |
 | Brad Klippert (R) | 10.3 | 15,430 | |
 | Corey Gibson (R) | 3.4 | 5,080 | |
| Benny Garcia (R) | 1.4 | 2,148 | |
| Jacek Kobiesa (R) | 0.3 | 490 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 149 | ||
| Total votes: 150,380 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House Washington District 4
Incumbent Dan Newhouse defeated Doug McKinley in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 4 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dan Newhouse (R) | 66.2 | 202,108 |
 | Doug McKinley (D) | 33.6 | 102,667 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 488 | ||
| Total votes: 305,263 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 4
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 4 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dan Newhouse (R) | 57.4 | 101,539 |
| ✔ | | Doug McKinley (D) | 26.2 | 46,471 |
 | Sarena Sloot (R) | 6.7 | 11,823 | |
 | Tracy Wright (R) | 5.1 | 9,088 | |
| Ryan Cooper (L) | 2.3 | 4,080 | ||
 | Evan Jones (Independent) | 2.2 | 3,816 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 228 | ||
| Total votes: 177,045 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Washington District 4
Incumbent Dan Newhouse defeated Christine Brown in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 4 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dan Newhouse (R) | 62.8 | 141,551 |
 | Christine Brown (D) | 37.2 | 83,785 | |
| Total votes: 225,336 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 4
Incumbent Dan Newhouse and Christine Brown advanced from the primary for U.S. House Washington District 4 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dan Newhouse (R) | 63.2 | 77,203 |
| ✔ | | Christine Brown (D) | 36.8 | 44,868 |
| Total votes: 122,071 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2024 battleground elections
- See also: Battlegrounds
This was a battleground election. Other 2024 battleground elections included:
- Clerk of supreme judicial court election in Suffolk County, Massachusetts (September 3, 2024 Democratic Primary)
- Florida's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Republican primary)
- Oklahoma Supreme Court elections, 2024
See also
- Washington's 4th Congressional District election, 2024
- United States House elections in Washington, 2024 (August 6 top-two primaries)
- United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2024
- United States House Republican Party primaries, 2024
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2024
- U.S. House battlegrounds, 2024
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ KEPR, "Three prominent Republicans highlight WA 4th Congressional District primary election," May 20, 2024
- ↑ Dan Newhouse campaign website, "About Dan," accessed June 3, 2024
- ↑ Dan Newhouse campaign website, "About Dan," accessed June 3, 2024
- ↑ Jerrod Sessler campaign website, "Jerrod's Story," accessed June 3, 2024
- ↑ KEPR, "Three prominent Republicans highlight WA 4th Congressional District primary election," May 20, 2024
- ↑ Tri-City Herald, "3 Tri-Citians endorsed at WA GOP convention. What they’re running for," April 24, 2024
- ↑ Tiffany Smiley campaign website, "Meet Tiffany," accessed June 3, 2024
- ↑ Fox 13, "The dynamics change for WA's 4th Congressional District race with last-minute bid," May 9, 2024
- ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ Amee LaTour, Email correspondence with the Center for Responsive Politics, August 5, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
- ↑ Inside Elections, "Methodology: Inside Elections’ Baseline by Congressional District," December 8, 2023
- ↑ Progressive Party
- ↑ Democrats gained full control of the state Senate after a special election on November 7, 2017.
- ↑ Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
