Newhouse was among the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump during his second impeachment.[1][2] Benefiting from Washington state's blanket primary system and crowded primary, Newhouse advanced to the general election with 25.5% of the total vote, despite only garnering approximately one-third of the votes cast by Republicans. Newhouse is one of two Republicans to vote for impeachment and win renomination and reelections in 2022 and 2024, along with David Valadao of California.
Early life and career
Newhouse was born in Sunnyside, east of Yakima. His father's family was Dutch.[3] His parents and all his siblings graduated from Washington State University. Newhouse's father Irv served in the Washington State House and Senate for 34 years, retiring in 1998.[4]
Newhouse graduated from Washington State with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics in 1977.[4] In college, he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He also is a graduate of the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program.[5]
In February 2014, Newhouse entered the Republican primary for Washington's 4th congressional district. The incumbent, Doc Hastings, did not run.[8] Newhouse and fellow Republican Clint Didier advanced to the November election after finishing in the top two in the August primary,[9] marking the first time that two Republicans squared off in a general election since the state adopted the "top two" primary system. The 4th has long been Washington's most conservative district, and it was very likely that Hastings would be succeeded by another Republican.
The race was very close, and was seen as a battle between the factions of the GOP; Newhouse was considered a mainstream Republican, while Didier openly identified with the Tea Party movement. Newhouse defeated Didier by a margin of 51%–49%.[10][11]
Newhouse faced Didier in a rematch in 2016, placing first in the blanket primary with 44,720 votes (45.77%) to Didier's 26,892 (27.53%). In the general election, Newhouse defeated Didier, 132,517 votes (57.64%) to 97,402 (42.36%).
Although he had voted against impeachment in the first impeachment of Donald Trump,[17] Newhouse announced his support for the second impeachment of Donald Trump on January 13, 2021, after the storming of the United States Capitol.[18] In a statement, Newhouse condemned the "hateful and anti-American extremists" who attacked the Capitol, saying that they had been incited by "the language and misinformation of the President of the United States." He claimed that he could not appear to condone the "unacceptable violence" or Trump's "inaction" by voting against impeachment, saying that Trump "failed to fulfill his oath of office" by not responding sooner.[19] He voted to impeach alongside nine other Republicans that day.[2] In his speech supporting impeachment, Newhouse said that while the article charging Trump with incitement of insurrection was "flawed", he also believed there was "no excuse" for Trump's failure to act. He expressed regret for not speaking out sooner against Trump's spreading of election misinformation. Earlier, he told The Spokesman-Review that while he was a Trump supporter, he believed Trump "let us down" by not doing more to stop the violence.[20]
On May 19, 2021, Newhouse became one of 35 Republicans who joined all Democrats in voting to approve legislation to establish the January 6 commission meant to investigate the storming of the U.S. Capitol.[21]
In 2025, Newhouse reported a major increase in constituent calls to his DC office, and citizens have called for him to host town halls in response to DOGE cuts and Trump's federal funding freeze. A protest against Medicaid cuts routed to his Yakima office, and more than 200 people showed up to his staff's office hours in Twisp. Newhouse has expressed support for cuts, but criticized cuts to agricultural programs.[22]
Political positions
Agriculture
In September 2024, Newhouse led a letter by 11 House Republicans calling on Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to conduct an analysis of Chinese biotechnology development, including in cultivated meat, and issue recommendations for the United States to promote innovation in the alternative proteins sector. The letter stated that U.S. leadership on biotechnology and alternative proteins, including cultivated meat, is critical for U.S. food security.[23][24]
LGBT rights
On July 19, 2022, Newhouse and 46 other House Republicans voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.[25]
Immigration
Newhouse voted for the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, which authorized DHS to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020.[26][27]
Newhouse voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1158),[28] which effectively prohibits ICE from cooperating with Health and Human Services to detain or remove illegal alien sponsors of unaccompanied alien children (UACs).[citation needed]
Ukraine
In 2022, Newhouse voted to provide approximately $14 billion in military aid to the government of Ukraine.[29][30]
Newhouse owns a 600-acre (240ha) farm in Sunnyside that produces hops, tree fruit, grapes, and alfalfa.[8][37] His first wife, Carol, died of cancer in 2017. They have two adult children.[38]
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