Republican Amanda McKinney and Democrat John Duresky are set to compete in November for Washington's 4th Congressional District, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ. The two emerged from a crowded field of 13 candidates vying to replace retiring Rep. Dan Newhouse (R), who announced in December he would not seek another term.
Newhouse, a Republican who voted to impeach President Trump after the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, has represented the district since 2015. He previously fended off Trump-backed challengers in the 2022 and 2024 GOP primaries, but his departure opened the door for a new conservative standard-bearer.
McKinney, a Yakima County commissioner, secured the endorsements of both President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), as well as backing from Turning Point Action, the conservative group founded by the late activist Charlie Kirk. In a Truth Social post from January, Trump praised McKinney as a "successful Business Executive, Civic Leader, and Highly Respected Yakima County Commissioner" and gave her his "Complete and Total Endorsement."
Duresky, a retired Air Force major with nearly 40 years of service, has gathered support from the Washington State Labor Council, the Washington Education Association, and Track AIPAC, a grassroots group that opposes the influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). His campaign website emphasizes his decades of public service and his decision to run because "watching working families struggle and politics become about power instead of people" made sitting on the sidelines untenable.
Despite the Democratic challenge, the Cook Political Report rates the 4th District as solidly Republican, giving McKinney a significant advantage heading into the general election. Newhouse has not endorsed either candidate in the race.
The outcome in Washington's 4th District is part of a broader pattern of competitive primaries shaping the battle for the House. In neighboring states, similar contests are unfolding, such as the GOP nomination in Missouri's open 6th District and the rematch in Missouri's 1st District. Meanwhile, Washington's top-two primary system has produced several notable matchups, including this one.
McKinney's campaign is likely to focus on issues such as border security, inflation, and support for law enforcement, aligning with her endorsements. Duresky, on the other hand, is expected to emphasize healthcare, education, and economic fairness, hoping to appeal to moderate and independent voters in a district that has not elected a Democrat in decades.
The general election in November will determine who succeeds Newhouse, with McKinney favored to keep the seat in Republican hands. Political analysts will watch closely to see if Duresky can overcome the district's partisan lean, but the solid red rating suggests an uphill battle.
