Trump endorses challenger of Republican who voted to impeach him

Donald Trump is backing the Republican vying to replace Rep. Dan Newhouse, one of two remaining GOP lawmakers who voted to impeach the ex-president.

Mr. Trump on Friday endorsed Jerrod Sessler, a first-time candidate, Navy veteran and former NASCAR driver.

“Jerrod Sessler is a fantastic candidate and will be a GREAT Congressman for Washington State’s 4th Congressional District,” Mr. Trump said on Truth Social. “A Navy Veteran, Entrepreneur, Loving Father and Husband, Jerrod will fight hard every day to secure the Border, stand for the Rule of Law, strengthen our Military, take care of our Vets, Defend our Nation and protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”

He continued, “He is running against a weak and pathetic RINO named Newhouse, who voted to, for no reason, Impeach me. Newhouse has to go! Jerrod Sessler is MAGA all the way and has my Complete and Total Endorsement — He will never let you down!!!”

Mr. Newhouse has been in Congress since 2015. In 2021 he voted to impeach Mr. Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 protest at the Capitol. The former president tried to oust him from Congress in 2022 by backing Loren Culp, but he lost in the primary.

Mr. Trump’s latest pick to boot the incumbent Mr. Newhouse boasts a plethora of endorsements from the former president’s orbit, including  Michael Flynn and Roger Stone.

Mr. Sessler has ripped into Mr. Newhouse, accusing the lawmaker on his campaign website of betraying “his voters by joining Democrats to impeach President Trump in 2021.”

The other current GOP lawmaker who voted to oust Mr. Trump is California Rep. David Valadao, who’s also running for reelection. The former president hasn’t endorsed anyone to run against him.