By Hannah Saunders

Conservative Rep. Dan Newhouse announced his retirement on December 17, and while those who vote blue may have felt a relief, MAGA candidates are already stepping up to fill in the soon-to-be empty congressional seat.

“Republicans are lining up candidates who are proudly pro-Trump, anti-working families, and backed by deep-pocketed donors pushing extremist agendas. They want to turn Central Washington into a proving ground for the most extreme politics in the country,” the Washington State Democrats said.

The Washington State Democrats highlighted how Rep. Newhouse voted against providing food assistance for families. He also voted against the Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and drew backlash from the LGBTQIA+ community over the years.

“I am truly humbled by this 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. I will continue to serve my district with energy and enthusiasm until the end of my term,” Rep. Newhouse said.

The Tri-City Herald first reported that Yakima County commissioner, Amanda McKinney, is running for the Congressional 4 seat. McKinney was raised in a religious family, and proudly supports Trump and his America First agenda. Her campaign page states that she is “running for Congress to deliver proven, common-sense conservative leadership in Washington D.C.”

McKinney’s views are aligned with Trump’s on immigration and border tactics, and believes in a strong national defense and targeting Transgender athletes.

“She supports protecting Title IX and ensuring that women’s sports remain for biological females. Amanda will oppose policies that undermine women’s athletics or erase biological reality in the name of ideology,” according to her website.  

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