Candidates Unveil Key Agricultural Priorities for Central Washington’s Future
As farmer Rep. Dan Newhouse prepares to step down from Congress, candidates Amanda McKinney and John Duresky outline their platforms to support Central Washington agriculture.
By Christina Herrick
October 26, 2026
Amanda McKinney, a Yakima County Commissioner, and Democrat John Duresky, a former Hanford project control officer and retired Air Force Major, are running to fill a seat held for 12 years by Rep. Dan Newhouse, a hop, tree fruit, and winegrape grower.
(Farm Journal)
Washington’s 4th Congressional District, stretching from the Oregon border to Canada, encompasses key agricultural areas such as the Tri-Cities, Yakima, and Moses Lake.
McKinney, a Central Washington native, is a Yakima County Commissioner. Before her public service career, she spent more than 20 years in mortgage banking. She also serves as vice chair of the National Association of Counties’ Rural and Agriculture Affairs Committee and represents counties across the country on wildfire issues.
Duresky, a 24-year Air Force veteran and 13-year civil servant, lacks a formal agricultural background but grew up in a rural setting, working in soybean fields, detasseling corn, and rounding up cattle.
Key Priorities for Washington Growers
Duresky aims to continue the district’s representation on the House Agriculture Committee.
“I think agriculture is a bipartisan issue, but I will work with anyone to improve our agricultural economy, especially for our small, independent growers and farmers,” he states.