MOSES LAKE — Two-term Republican lawmaker Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Yakima, announced last week his intent to run for reelection to a third term in Washington D.C.

The Fourth Congressional District covers all of Grant, Douglas, Okanogan, Yakima, Franklin, Benton and Adams counties, as well as a portion of Walla Walla County. Newhouse ran for the seat that was left vacant by former Rep. Doc Hastings back in 2014 and narrowly defeated his challenger in the 2014 and 2016 general elections.

“There is much more work needed in order to get back to governing with conservative, Republican principles. I look forward to continuing to work for solutions for our District and our nation,” Newhouse stated.

Newhouse is the former director of Washington’s Department of Agriculture and currently serves on the Appropriations and Rules Committee. In his reelection announcement Newhouse touts his work to ensure the continued cleanup at Hanford, his bills concerning agriculture and emergency care for veterans and an amendment that ensured the remains of Kennewick Man were transported to a coalition of Native American tribes as some of his bigger accomplishments over his two terms.

Newhouse has long espoused conservative principles and believes that with Donald Trump as president, the Republican Party is poised to pass legislation that has long been desired by right-leaning lawmakers and their constituents.

"We now have a partner with a president in the White House who will help us take power away from Washington D.C. bureaucrats and give it back to we, the people, where it belongs," Newhouse said. "We have eliminated thousands of burdensome, job-killing regulations. We’ve reformed the tax code and cut taxes for the average central Washington family by thousands of dollars each year. Our economy is growing steadily, and wages are finally increasing all up and down the pay scale.”

Former reporter and television news anchor Christine Brown, D-Tri-Cities, announced in June 2017 her intent to run against Newhouse in the August primary. Brown is the only other candidate who has filed with the Federal Election Commission to run against Newhouse.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.