Amanda McKinney Leads John Duresky in Washington's 4th District Election

Republican Amanda McKinney is leading Democrat John Duresky in the 2026 election for Washington's 4th Congressional District, according to unofficial results from the November 3 general election. McKinney has received 74,133 votes, or 54.13%, compared with Duresky's 62,569 votes, or 45.68%, putting her ahead by 11,564 votes as election officials continue counting ballots.

The closely watched open-seat race will determine who succeeds retiring Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse, who has represented Central Washington in Congress since 2015. Although McKinney holds a substantial early advantage, the election results remain unofficial and subject to additional counting and certification.

Washington's 4th Congressional District Election Results

Preliminary results published by Washington election officials on November 4, 2026, show the following vote totals:

A total of 136,961 votes had been reported in the preliminary count. McKinney led by approximately 8.45 percentage points.

County-level results revealed differing levels of support across the district. McKinney held a particularly strong advantage in Grant County, receiving 65.98% of votes counted there. The race was much closer in Yakima County, where she received 50.12% compared with Duresky's 49.55%.

Additional ballots could change the totals before the results become official.

Who Is Amanda McKinney?

Amanda McKinney is a Republican politician and Yakima County commissioner who has served in local government for approximately six years. Before her political career, she worked in mortgage banking for more than two decades.

McKinney entered the congressional race as an advocate of President Donald Trump's America First agenda. Her campaign emphasized economic affordability, domestic energy production, border security, and reducing federal regulations affecting agriculture.

She received endorsements from Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson during her campaign.

As a county commissioner, McKinney has dealt with issues affecting Central Washington communities, including water resources, agriculture, and economic development.

Her campaign priorities included supporting farmers, ranchers, and dairy producers, whose operations are important contributors to the region's economy.

Who Is John Duresky?

John Duresky is a Democrat and military veteran who served for 24 years in the U.S. Air Force before continuing his career in federal civilian service.

He later worked at the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Field Office, gaining experience with federal operations associated with the Hanford nuclear cleanup mission in southeastern Washington.

Duresky campaigned on healthcare affordability, protecting jobs, economic opportunity, and supporting working families. He also emphasized the importance of federal investment in infrastructure and the Hanford cleanup program.

His candidacy offered voters an alternative to Republican leadership in a congressional district that has consistently favored Republican candidates for decades.

Why Washington's 4th Congressional District Matters

Washington's 4th Congressional District covers much of Central Washington, extending from the Canadian border toward the Oregon state line. It includes all or portions of Adams, Benton, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima counties.

The district is heavily influenced by agriculture, particularly fruit production, farming, food processing, and irrigation-dependent industries. Energy development and federal employment also contribute significantly to the local economy.

Republicans have controlled the congressional seat since 1995, when Doc Hastings succeeded Democrat Jay Inslee. Hastings served until 2015, when Dan Newhouse took office.

Newhouse's decision not to seek reelection created an opportunity for a new representative in a district long regarded as one of Washington's strongest Republican constituencies.

What Issues Shaped the McKinney-Duresky Election?

The candidates presented different approaches to several issues affecting Central Washington.

Economic Costs and Energy Policy

McKinney supported expanding domestic energy production and reducing regulations, arguing that these policies could lower costs for residents and businesses.

Duresky emphasized household affordability, economic stability, and investment in local employment opportunities.

Agriculture and Rural Communities

McKinney advocated reducing regulatory burdens on farmers, ranchers, and dairies. Agricultural water access and the financial pressures facing producers were important issues in her campaign.

Duresky also emphasized the economic needs of rural communities, particularly the importance of maintaining jobs and essential services.

Immigration and Border Security

McKinney supported Trump's immigration enforcement priorities and stronger border security measures.

These positions reflected her broader alignment with the Republican administration's approach to federal immigration policy.

Healthcare and Federal Employment

Duresky emphasized making healthcare more affordable and accessible. His experience at the Department of Energy also informed his attention to the Hanford cleanup mission and the federal jobs associated with it.

The candidates' policy differences gave voters competing approaches to federal spending, regulatory policy, and economic development.

When Will the Washington Election Results Be Final?

Washington election officials will continue counting eligible ballots and verifying results following the November 3 general election.

Under the state's election certification schedule, counties must certify their results by November 24, 2026. The Washington Secretary of State is scheduled to certify statewide and federal election results on December 3, 2026.

Until that process is complete, the reported vote totals remain preliminary.

McKinney's early lead places her ahead in the contest to replace Newhouse, but the final election outcome depends on the completed count and official certification.

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