Dollars Pouring Into Key Washington Congressional Races

Early fundraising numbers show competitive battles for open seats in the state's 3rd and 4th districts.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:12pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting featuring overlapping, geometric shapes in shades of blue, green, and red, conceptually representing the fast-paced and competitive nature of the congressional campaign season.Intense fundraising battles underscore the high stakes in key Washington congressional races.Yakima Today

In Washington state, the race to succeed retiring Republican Congressman Dan Newhouse in the 4th Congressional District has seen a strong early fundraising performance from Republican candidate Amanda McKinney, a Yakima County commissioner. Meanwhile, in the 3rd District, Democratic incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has outraised her leading Republican challenger, John Braun, by a wide margin as she seeks a third term.

Why it matters

These two congressional races in Washington are seen as pivotal battlegrounds that could help determine the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. The fundraising numbers provide an early indication of the resources and momentum behind the various candidates as they compete for these hotly contested seats.

The details

In the 4th District race, McKinney, one of four Republican candidates, raised over $520,000 in the first quarter, far outpacing her GOP rivals. The other Republicans in the race include Jerrod Sessler, Matt Boehnke, and John Hughs. The lone Democrat, John Duresky, raised nearly $64,000. In the 3rd District, Gluesenkamp Perez, the Democratic incumbent, raised $1.3 million in the first quarter, more than three times the amount collected by the leading Republican challenger, John Braun. Braun, the state Senate minority leader, brought in $356,000 and had just under $1 million on hand at the end of March.

  • Candidate fundraising totals for the first three months of 2026 were due on April 17.
  • The next campaign finance reports, covering April 1 to June 30, will be posted in mid-July.

The players

Amanda McKinney

A Yakima County commissioner and one of four Republican candidates vying to succeed retiring GOP Congressman Dan Newhouse in Washington's 4th Congressional District.

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

The Democratic incumbent in Washington's 3rd Congressional District, seeking a third term after pulling off a surprise upset victory in 2022.

John Braun

The state Senate minority leader and the leading Republican challenger to Gluesenkamp Perez in the 3rd District race.

Dan Newhouse

The retiring Republican Congressman whose seat in the 4th District is being sought by a crowded field of candidates.

John Duresky

The lone Democratic candidate in the race to succeed Newhouse in the 4th Congressional District.

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What they’re saying

“This is what momentum looks like. While others are still trying to figure out their campaigns, we are building a movement.”

— Amanda McKinney, Yakima County commissioner

“We're well positioned for the fight ahead.”

— John Duresky, Democratic candidate, 4th Congressional District

What’s next

The next campaign finance reports, covering April 1 to June 30, will be posted in mid-July, providing further insight into the resources and momentum of the various candidates in these closely watched congressional races.

The takeaway

These early fundraising numbers underscore the high stakes and intense competition in these two pivotal Washington congressional districts, which could play a significant role in determining the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.