WASHINGTON D.C. - Rep. Dan Newhouse took the oath of office to represent Washington's Fourth Congressional District in Washington, D.C. this week.

Since Rep. Doc Hastings announced he would not be seeking re-election, a number of candidates campaigned to fill the seat he left empty.

In the Nov. 4 general election there were only two candidates remaining, as Newhouse was pitted against fellow Republican Clint Didier, a farmer from Eltopia and former NFL player.

Newhouse narrowly defeated Didier in the general election, taking 77,772 votes in the Fourth District, a 50.81 percent margin, to Didier's 75,307 votes, or 49.19 percent.

On Tuesday, Newhouse was sworn in.

"When I raised my right hand and swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution, I was reminded of the great responsibility to act in accordance with the values that make our nation great: limited government, individual freedom and economic opportunity," said Newhouse in a statement Tuesday. "Taxpayers and hard-working families in Central Washington deserve a steadfast commitment to always listen and work hard on common sense solutions that address the challenges we face."

Newhouse, who owns and operates a 600-acre farm in Sunnyside, is the former director of the state Department of Agriculture, and a former member of the Washington State House of Representatives.

Newhouse will be joining 57 other U.S. House of Representatives freshmen in the 114th Congress, which started Tuesday.

Newhouse and his fellow House Republicans will be in the driver's seat in the 114th Congress, as Republicans now have the majority in the Senate and House after the Nov. 4 general election.

Newhouse will be serving on three committees that have impact on legislative issues in central Washington.

He will be serving on the Agriculture Committee, Natural Resources Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee.

Going into the 114th Congress, Newhouse has already co-sponsored a couple of bills.

The bills include legislation that would require a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, getting rid of the existing tax code and call for tax reform, and a bill to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act.

"I look forward to serving the people of the 4th District, and I am optimistic that we can get results for Central Washington," remarked Newhouse.