Are most Tri-City Republicans moderate or far-right Trumpers? Vote and let’s find out
With an extreme heat warning this Water Follies weekend, we imagine Tri-Citians will be focused on trying to stay cool over the next few days — either by staying indoors or by lathering on sun screen and drinking plenty of water so they can enjoy the boat races.
Politics will be the last thing on most people’s minds.
But with ballots due Tuesday for the Aug. 2 primary election, it’s critical to our community that citizens vote.
Several important county, state, and federal races will be narrowed down to the top two candidates — setting up for the showdown in November.
On a national scale, a closely watched race is Washington state’s 4th congressional seat.
This race is extremely significant. Its outcome could indicate how much influence former President Donald Trump still holds over Central Washington.
Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, lost favor within his own party after he joined nine other Republican House members to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021 riot.
At the time, Newhouse told the Tri-City Herald he believed the mob was inflamed by Trump’s language and misinformation, and that he could not turn a blind eye to the “brutal assault on our republic.”
What’s worse, Trump “did not strongly condemn the attack nor did he call in reinforcements when officers were overwhelmed,” Newhouse said. “Our country needed a leader, and President Trump failed to fulfill his oath of office.”
But breaking GOP ranks has cost him support.
There are six Republican candidates seeking to oust Newhouse, along with Democrat Doug White.
How this race shakes out is still anyone’s guess.
With so many Republican choices it’s highly possible the conservative vote will be fractured, giving White the chance to advance to the general election.
And how those GOP votes end up is what’s got political observers talking.
Traditional Republicans likely will still vote for Newhouse.
But is our region full of moderates or is it dominated by Trump supporters?
That’s the question — and that’s why it is important for everyone to vote.
A 30% voter turnout that’s full of conspiracy theory believers could determine the political narrative in our region for years to come, whether or not it’s an accurate reflection of the district.
Three of Newhouse’s most prominent GOP challengers — in the Tri-Cities anyway — are state Rep. Brad Klippert, R-Kennewick; Loren Culp, who has name recognition after running unsuccessfully for governor in 2020; and Jerrod Sessler, a franchise business owner from Burien who moved to Prosser.
People in the Mid-Columbia are familiar with Klippert, but it is unclear how far his name reaches in the geographically massive 4th District, which runs from Canada to the Oregon border and includes all of Benton, Grant, Okanogan, Douglas, Yakima and Klickitat counties, and parts of Franklin and Adams.
Klippert, a deputy sheriff, got widespread attention after charging state taxpayers for his trip to the three-day “Cyber Symposium” in South Dakota last year. The event was sponsored by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who said he had proof that hackers helped President Joe Biden steal the 2020 election from Trump.
Klippert had said he had no regrets about attending — he even made a speech there.
And then there’s Culp, who has Trump’s endorsement, and believes Biden stole the election and also claimed voter fraud in his loss to Gov. Jay Inslee. The former small-town police chief has made several missteps that include encouraging a lynching when a Seattle homeless man was accused of attacking a nurse. He also has pushed unproven COVID treatments.
Sessler was at the Trump rally on Jan. 6, and says “the police incited the violence they wanted. I watched them do it.”
While he has said he did not go inside the Capitol, Sessler has brought up the events of Jan. 6 numerous times in his campaign, criticizing the congressional hearings as “hogwash soup on national television.” He also blasted Benton County Republicans for endorsing Klippert instead of him, and he filed for a no-contact order against Culp’s campaign manager.
These three candidates, in particular, will appeal to like-minded people. Will they split those votes, giving Newhouse an edge? Or will one of them rise to the top?
That’s what everyone is waiting to find out.
So be sure to turn in your ballot and let your voice be heard.
Remember, apathy has consequences.
