MOSES LAKE — Eleven candidates are running in the primary election for Washington’s 4th Congressional District. All candidates were contacted multiple times and asked to respond to a series of questions. Of the 11 candidates, six submitted responses by the deadline. 

Candidates who responded are Jacek “Jack” Kobiesa, No Party Preference; Favian Valancia Independent; Jerrod Sessler, Republican; Devin Poore, Cascade Party; and Matt Boehnke, Republican. John Duresky, Democrat also submitted responses before the deadline, but his answers were initially missed after being routed to a spam folder. His responses are included as well. 

The candidates who did not respond to requests for comment were Amanda McKinney, Republican; John C. Hughs, Republican; Ken Vaz, Republican; Zac Rossi, No Party Preference; and Elpidia Saavedra, Republican. 

Due to the length of the candidates’ responses, their answers were published in multiple separate stories. Read the initial story here: bit.ly/4rthCongressional 

July 17 is the deadline for ballots to be mailed for the primary election. Ballots must be returned by Aug. 4. To register to vote or verify your voter registration, visit VoteWA.gov. 

Question: Many local industries rely on immigrant labor. Do you feel like any changes need to be made to federal immigration policy to support both employers and workers in this region? Why? 

Boehnke: Joe Biden and congressional Democrats created chaos at the border and uncertainty in our fields. As a conservative State Senator and 21‑year Army veteran, I know you can have both secure borders and a legal, reliable workforce. I support finishing the wall, ending catch‑and‑release, and enforcing our laws, no amnesty and no voting rights for those here illegally. At the same time, we must fix broken guest‑worker programs so Central Washington farmers and processors can hire the legal workers they need, with strong verification and accountability. I’ll back a tough but fair, work‑focused status for long‑time, law‑abiding farmworkers, earned by labor and clean records, not handed out as a political giveaway. 

Valencia: Yes. Our farms, dairies, and packing houses can't run without immigrant labor, and everyone here knows it. We need secure borders and a functioning legal immigration system — those aren't opposites. Congress should simplify the H-2A guest worker program so it's faster, more predictable, and less expensive for farms that follow the rules. Create clear legal status for experienced local farmworkers already here contributing to our economy. Secure borders, due process, and no chaos for employers or families. As a civil rights attorney, I've seen what happens when government power goes unchecked — families torn apart, workers afraid to show up, crops left in the field. Fix the system so employers can hire legally and workers can live without fear. That's good for business, good for families, and good for the 4th District. 

Poore: Current federal immigration policy is far too punitive. The Trump Administration has responded to a real concern among the electorate - immigration was one of his best polling issues when he took office - but the militarization of ICE is not what the majority of the American public now support. Indiscriminate targeting of immigrants has led to genuine concerns in these communities about being arrested, even those here legally. Our regional economy does indeed rely on immigrant labor. If this labor pool is diminished - through wrongful deportations or simply worker fears about showing up to work - costs will go up for farmers, revenues will be down, and the cost of agricultural products at the store will increase. If elected, I'd support the currently proposed and bipartisan Dignity Act. It's a far better starting point for resolving the immigration challenges we're facing today as a nation. 

Sessler: Legal immigration done right can and does support our industries, but we must maintain a secure border always. I support finishing the wall, ending catch-and-release, and enforcing E-Verify so employers aren’t forced to hire illegal workers. We need a merit-based system that prioritizes American workers and skilled labor our farms and businesses actually need, not amnesty that depresses wages. We have a lot of workers that have been here for decades working and supporting our beautiful state & country. These folks came under wildly different circumstances than those that have come in the last few years. Central Washington deserves policies that protect jobs for citizens and legal residents while respecting the rule of law. Secure borders equal secure communities and a strong workforce. 

Kobiesa: Water is the foundation of Central Washington’s agricultural economy in the Columbia Basin. I support a balanced, pragmatic approach that prioritizes reliable supply for farms while addressing infrastructure needs and competing demands (municipal growth, salmon recovery, environmental flows). Secure Agricultural Water Rights: Protect senior and perfected rights as appurtenant to the land, with clear processes for voluntary, “no injury” transfers or changes. Avoid policies that erode ag allocations during scarcity. Advocate for state/federal funding to upgrade irrigation districts, reservoirs, and conveyance systems to reduce losses and improve delivery reliability. Aggressively promote high-efficiency irrigation. Offer rebates, tax incentives, and education campaigns for homeowners and farms to adopt smart systems like Irrigreen (dramatically cut waste through precision application). Expand cost-share programs for precision ag tech. Facilitate collaborative basin planning with data-driven allocation, new storage where feasible, and conservation across sectors. Support science-based solutions from PNNL/WSU to balance ag productivity with fish recovery. 

Duresky: The Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement is immoral and un-American. The “worst of the worst” was always only a part of their plan. When they started retroactively changing immigrants’ status, even for those who were going through the process “the right way”, they showed that it was never about crime rates. I stand for a fast, fair, and affordable path to legal status for all immigrants who have lived here for more than 5 years and have contributed to their communities. These are valued members of our society, and we are stronger because of the diversity.