Tri-City Herald, KNDU to host Newhouse-Sessler congressional debate. Here are the details

The two Republicans running to represent Central Washington in Congress have agreed to a debate organized by KNDU NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima and the Tri-City Herald.

It will be broadcast live 6-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, on NBC affiliates in Yakima and the Tri-Cities. The debate also will be livestreamed to the Herald’s website and will be available later for playback.

Dan Newhouse, a farmer from Sunnyside, is aiming to secure a sixth term representing Washington’s 4th Congressional District this November. But first he must get past Jerrod Sessler, a Prosser businessman and former regional race car driver, who wants him ousted over his 2021 vote to impeach former President Donald Trump.

Newhouse served in the Washington state Legislature from 2003 to 2009 before being appointed director of the Washington Department of Agriculture. He left that position after winning this seat in 2012, succeeding longtime U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings.

He operates an 850-acre farm in the Yakima Valley, where he grows hops, tree fruit, grapes and alfalfa.

Sessler has no previous elected experience, but is the owner of several businesses, including HomeTask, HotFeetFitness and other health-related companies.

Originally from Burien, Sessler is a U.S. Navy veteran who considers himself a political firebrand. He’s previously characterized the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol as a “setup” and has denounced prosecution of those involved.

The 4th Congressional District stretches from the U.S.-Canada border down to the Columbia River, and includes the Tri-Cities, Omak, East Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Yakima and the Yakama Indian Reservation.

It is the state’s most Republican-leaning congressional district.

The Oct. 11 debate will be hosted by NonStop Local anchor Zander Adams and Herald civic accountability reporter Eric Rosane.

Newhouse and Sessler also are scheduled to participate in a forum with the Columbia Basin Badger Club at noon Thursday, Oct. 24, on Zoom. Online registration is $5 for non-members and free for members.

Yakima-based CBS affiliate KIMA Action News also plans a debate with the two candidates. Those details have not yet been made public.

Ballots are expected to be mailed to voters by Oct. 18. Voters who need to update their registration or register for the first time have until Oct. 28 to file online at vote.wa.gov.

After that, registration changes must be made in person at local county election offices.

Washington voters have until 8 p.m. on election day to update their registration and submit their ballots.