YAKIMA VALLEY—United States Representative Dan Newhouse, a Republican representing Washington’s 4th Congressional District, announced Wednesday, December 17, that he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending a congressional career marked by his vote to impeach President Donald J Trump following the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach.
“I am announcing today that I will not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives,” Newhouse said in a statement. “Serving the Fourth District of Washington has been the honor of my life, and this decision comes with no reservations or remorse, only gratitude for the tremendous opportunity to have represented my home state in Congress.”
Newhouse, 70, has served in the U.S. House since 2015, representing a heavily agricultural region in central Washington that includes Yakima and the Tri-Cities area. A third-generation farmer from Sunnyside, he previously held roles in state government, including as director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and a member of the state House of Representatives.
His political profile sharpened in 2021 when he became one of only 10 House Republicans to vote for Trump’s second impeachment, saying on the House floor that President Trump “did not strongly condemn the attack nor did he call in reinforcements when our officers were overwhelmed” and that “a vote against this impeachment is a vote to validate the unacceptable violence we witnessed in our nation’s capital.”
Unlike most of his GOP colleagues who supported impeachment, Newhouse survived subsequent primary challenges, including Trump-endorsed opponents in 2022 and 2024, and won reelection last year. He and Rep. David Valadao of California were the last two such impeachment supporters remaining in Congress.
Newhouse had voted against Trump’s first impeachment in 2019. Throughout his tenure, he focused on issues vital to his district, such as agriculture, water resources, and nuclear site cleanup at Hanford.
In his statement, Rep. Newhouse reflected on more than 25 years in public service.
“After over 25 years of public service, including more than a decade in the House, I am grateful to the Washingtonians who put their faith in me, as well as the colleagues I have served with on both sides of the aisle,” he wrote.
Newhouse expressed optimism about the future of his seat, a solidly Republican district: “Public service takes many forms. As I look forward to this new chapter and ways I can continue to serve my community and this great Nation, I do so with confidence that there are now qualified and serious people expressing interest in this office. Central Washington will have a strong, capable leader to whom I can pass the torch.”
Newhouse thanked his family and described his path as “a uniquely American journey that took a farm boy from Sunnyside, Washington clear across the country to represent his friends and neighbors in the ‘other’ Washington.” He pledged to “continue to serve my district with energy and enthusiasm until the end of my term.”
Rep. Suzan DelBene released the following statement on the retirement of Rep. Newhouse: “It has been an honor to serve alongside Dan Newhouse, both in Congress and our state capital. Dan has always brought a principled commitment to public service. I’m grateful to call him a colleague and friend all these years. I wish him all the best in what comes next.”
As of mid-December 2025, approximately 42-43 House members—19 Democrats and 23-24 Republicans (including Newhouse)—have announced they will not seek reelection to their current seats; eight senators (four Democrats and four Republicans) have announced they will not seek reelection.
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Author: Mario Lotmore
