For those of us who lean left of MAGA in Congressional District 4 (70% of voters), the upcoming election between Republicans Jerrod Sessler and Dan Newhouse, alongside Democrat write-in candidate Cherissa Boyd, is often framed as a choice between the lesser of two evils. I disagree with this framing. Having experienced a challenging election cycle with both candidates in 2022, and having stayed deeply involved in Central Washington politics since, I offer a perspective few others have. I’ve been the target of their political attacks and debated them on issues—whether on stage, in front of a camera, or before editorial boards. The only similarity between Sessler and Newhouse is their ability to shift into whatever position they believe will grant them the power they seek.
So, what sets them apart? Dan Newhouse is damaging in a more benign way, while Jerrod Sessler's blind ambition, ignorance, and embrace of extremist and conspiracy theories make him genuinely frightening.
Newhouse is seeking his fifth term as Representative for Congressional District 4, a career milestone with few accomplishments. As a backbencher, he has overseen nearly a decade of economic stagnation. Wage increases have largely been driven by minimum wage hikes, while new industries have been kept out to protect agriculture's access to cheap labor.
On key issues like immigration, climate change, and renewable energy expansion, Newhouse has fallen short. Rather than improving legal immigration to support the workforce, he grandstands at the border over illegal crossings. Instead of addressing climate change, which affects farmers and causes wildfires, he denies it. And rather than promoting Central Washington's renewable energy potential, he travels to Arizona to support their non-renewable energy sector.
In nearly ten years, Newhouse has passed only four pieces of legislation: renaming a building, delaying the start of an energy project, and securing funding for two water projects. His reputation as "all hat and no cattle" is well-deserved. He makes promises to constituents and then writes legislation, knowing full well it won’t progress beyond a headline and a soundbite. His ineffectiveness is clear from his legislation, which is often co-sponsored by no one but himself.
Jerrod Sessler, on the other hand, is prone to exaggeration in both words and actions. A carpetbagger from Burien, he came to Central Washington hoping to easily unseat Newhouse, who was politically vulnerable after voting to impeach Trump. Sessler, however, was a fish out of water. He soon changed his wardrobe, adopting boots, denim, and a cowboy hat, but looked more like Howdy Doody than one of us. His attempt to play to an imagined caricature revealed his ignorance.
Sessler’s lack of understanding showed when he made statements like, "Climate change can’t be all bad—don’t plants grow better when it’s hot?" He demonstrated dangerous recklessness by brandishing a sidearm in a high school auditorium, telling the crowd he would keep them safe. He resembled a child playing cowboy more than a responsible adult wielding a deadly weapon.
At candidate forums, Sessler would loudly boast about the money he raised, yet FEC reports reveal that he is by far his largest donor, with little support from constituents. His detachment from reality, his election denial, his promotion of Project 2025, and his support for Christian Nationalism show a man with little grasp of the communities he wants to represent.
Sessler's call for dismantling the federal government in favor of local self-governance may sound appealing at first. But this disconnects from the realities of Congressional District 4, which relies heavily on federal support. Without it, our economy would collapse.
Why do I reject the idea that this election is a choice between the lesser of two evils? Because Newhouse isn’t evil. Few people are enthusiastic about Newhouse, but many say, "He’s not that bad" or "I know him, so I feel I have to vote for him." He is a pliable politician who achieves little, allowing our district to stagnate rather than realizing its potential. Sessler, however, is genuinely dangerous. His desire for power, reliance on falsehoods, and ignorance of politics, governance, and the very communities he seeks to represent make him unfit for office.
This Democrat will be voting for Newhouse and once again Democrats will save Republicans from themselves and keep the wheels of democracy turning.
