GOP’s McKinney wins election for Newhouse’s open Washington seat

Republican Amanda McKinney, a Yakima County commissioner, is projected to win the race for Washington’s 4th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ.

McKinney defeated Air Force veteran John Duresky (D) in the battle for the seat, which covers a large portion of the eastern half of the Evergreen State. Eastern Washington is more rural and tends to lean more Republican than the bluer western half of the state on the other side of the Cascades.

The race between McKinney and Duresky had been rated as solidly Republican by the nonpartisan political handicapper Cook Political Report.

McKinney has previously worked as a mortgage banker and a small-business owner. Beyond her campaign for Washington’s 4th District, she has done political advocacy on issues like vaccine mandates, agriculture and opposing Cascades grizzly bear reintroduction.

The representative-elect, who locked down endorsements from President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), will succeed retiring Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) in his seat. Newhouse was one of the Republicans who voted to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

“A very successful Business Executive, Civic Leader, and Highly Respected Yakima County Commissioner, Amanda has dedicated her life to serving her Community,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in January.