Kennewick Republican considers jumping into race to replace Newhouse
Washington Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, is forming an exploratory committee as he considers a possible run to succeed Dan Newhouse in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Newhouse, a Sunnyside Republican, announced Dec. 17 he will not seek a seventh term representing Washington’s 4th Congressional District.
The 4th stretches from Canada to the Oregon border, taking in the Tri-Cities, Yakima, East Wenatchee, Omak and Goldendale.
“I am very humble that a lot of people have been blowing up my phone,” he told the Tri-City Herald on Wednesday.
Boehnke said he has not made a formal decision.
Crowded field
The announced candidates to succeed Newhouse to date include Jerrod Sessler, a MAGA Republican who has twice challenged Newhouse, John Duresky, a West Richland Democrat, and Wesley Weier, a Richland Republican.
Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney confirmed she has been encouraged to seek office but has not announced her candidacy.
Boehnke of Kennewick graduated from Kamiakin High School graduate and joined ROTC while studying pre-law at Eastern Washington University.
He spent more than 21 years in the Army, serving as a helicopter pilot. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2011 and moved home with his wife, Dawn.
He spent three weeks in retirement before returning to work, a career that included a stint at the Energy Northwest nuclear plant and later, leading the four-year cybersecurity program at Columbia Basin College.
He joined the Kennewick City Council in 2016. Two years later, Kennewick and Richland voters chose him to succeed Larry Haler as one of two 8th District representatives to the state House in Olympia.
Pragmatic conservative
In office, he’s earned a reputation as a financial conservative interested in pragmatic policy solutions to thorny issues.
In 2021, he sponsored a bill creating a framework to add 300,000 manufacturing jobs and double the number of small manufacturing firms across the state. He continues to champion manufacturing along with economic development and energy policy since his elevation to the state Senate.
In 2022, 8th District voters chose him to succeed Sen. Sharon Brown, a Kennewick Republican who opted not to seek a new term. He won the general election with nearly 72% of the vote.
Boehnke serves on the senate environment, energy and technology committee as ranking minority member as well as the higher education and workforce development, ways and means, rule and business, financial services, gaming and trade committees.
This story was originally published December 17, 2025 at 7:02 PM.