Sessler and Newhouse to have two TV congressional debates

Two debates are planned between U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse and 4th District challenger Jerrod Sessler.

KIMA Action News and KNDU Nonstop Local will each host a debate as Sessler and Newhouse jockey for the right to represent Central Washington in Washington, D.C.

Dates have not been set for the debates yet, but Newhouse and Sessler’s campaigns both confirmed they will participate.

The race is hotly contested in a higher-turnout presidential election. Sessler and Newhouse are both Republicans, and will have an opportunity to show their different visions to voters during the debates. The election is Nov. 5, with ballots going into the mail in mid-October.

Sessler is endorsed by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, while Newhouse has touted his work on agriculture and border security issues.

In 2022, Newhouse defeated Sessler in the primary election. In this year’s primary, Sessler came in first by almost 8,000 votes in an eight-way race where three Republicans, three Democrats and two other candidates split the vote.