Former GOP Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley officially launched her campaign Monday to unseat central Washington Rep. Dan Newhouse, one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump.
"For almost 20 years, I have worked to change the government from the outside, and now it's clear the best way for me to continue my work and deliver change for Washington families is inside Congress," Smiley said in a video posted on X. "So I'm running."
In 2022, Smiley unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Senator Patty Murray for her seat. Ahead of the general election, polls suggested the race could be close, but Smiley lost by roughly 15 points.
There are only two House Republicans left in Congress who voted to impeach the former president: Newhouse and California Rep. David Valadao. The other eight were either defeated in primaries or decided against running for reelection.
Newhouse managed to hold his seat in 2022 due to the large primary field and the state's unique top-two nonpartisan primary system. In Washington, voters can cast a ballot for any candidate in the primary, and the two with the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of party preference.
"In the face of our dams being threatened, a crisis at our border, and the struggle of working people to afford gas and groceries, now is not the time for Central Washington to lose its influence in Congress or to entrust the federal budget to someone who couldn't even handle her own campaign's finances," stated Newhouse's campaign in response to Smiley's candidacy.
Records from the federal election show that Smiley raised close to $21 million and spent nearly $19 million during her 2022 Senate campaign. Additionally, she still carries a debt of $462,000 from 2022, which she is actively working to pay off.
Smiley's decision to enter the race comes several months before the Aug. 6 primary and nearly a month after former President Donald Trump publicly endorsed former NASCAR driver Jerrod Sessler.
"Jerrod Sessler is an outstanding candidate and will make a great Congressman for Washington State's 4th Congressional District," Trump stated on Truth Social. He further added, "He is running against a weak and pathetic RINO named Newhouse, who voted to, for no reason, Impeach me."
Despite Sessler having the support of Trump, his fundraising efforts have been lackluster, and he lacks the financial resources that would likely be needed to unseat an incumbent. Federal documents reveal that in the first quarter of 2024, Sessler's campaign only raised under $11,000, while Newhouse raised over $244,000. Despite being a political newcomer, Smiley demonstrated strong fundraising abilities during her 2022 Senate campaign.
She has also been a vocal supporter of Trump and criticized Newhouse for his impeachment vote.
"That vote does not reflect the views of the constituents in the Fourth District," Smiley expressed to the National Review.
