Impeachment Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler concedes defeat in primary race

Washington Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot, has conceded defeat in her primary contest.

“Though my campaign came up short this time, I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together for the place where I was raised and still call home,” she said in a statement, according to The Hill. “I’m proud that I always told the truth, stuck to my principles, and did what I knew to be best for our country."

The Washington primary occurred on Aug. 2, though the large number of mail-in ballots delayed the final results. Fellow impeachment Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse managed to survive his primary and will proceed to the general election in November.

Washington has open primaries for its congressional seats in which the top two vote getters of any party compete in the November general election. Democrat Marie Perez came in first place with Trump-backed Republican challenger Joe Kent overtaking Herrera Beutler for second place on Monday evening.

Trump congratulated Kent on Tuesday night.

“Joe Kent just won an incredible race against all odds in Washington State. Importantly, he knocked out yet another impeacher, Jaime Herrera Beutler, who so stupidly played right into the hands of the Democrats,” the former president said.

“Joe is a wonderful guy, who bravely served our Country as a Green Beret. He has a truly bright future.”

Beutler is the third Republican who voted to impeach Trump to lose a primary contest after Michigan GOP Rep. Peter Meijer and South Carolina GOP Rep. Tom Rice both lost to Trump-backed challengers.