Trump-Backed Amanda McKinney Advances in Washington’s 4th District
Trump celebrates Republican Amanda McKinney reaching the general election in Washington's 4th Congressional District after the state's top-two primary.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump celebrated Republican Amanda McKinney advancing to the general election in Washington’s 4th Congressional District, a rural, agriculture-heavy seat in central Washington. Trump touted his endorsement as the reason for her win. The declaration came in a post on Truth Social. McKinney advanced through Washington’s top-two primary, in which candidates from all parties compete on a single ballot.
Here is the full post on truthsocial: “REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR WA-04 AMANDA MCKINNEY WINS! ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP! TRUMP VANCE MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” on August 5, 2026 at 12:05 AM ET.
This is Trump’s first message released today, and the last post was one hour ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 96 of his 432 posts over the last 30 days classified as Elections posts.
McKinney advanced to the general election for U.S. House in Washington’s 4th Congressional District, according to wbal.com. The Associated Press reported the result on August 4, 2026, one day before Trump’s post. Washington uses a top-two primary system, in which the two candidates with the most votes advance regardless of party.
Democrat John Duresky also advanced to the general election in the same district, according to wbal.com. That sets up a two-candidate contest in November between McKinney and Duresky. The primary result does not decide the seat, and the general election determines the winner.
The stakes reach beyond one rural district. Every U.S. House seat counts toward control of the chamber, where the majority sets the legislative agenda. A Republican hold in WA-04 would help the party defend its position, while a Democratic pickup would narrow any Republican margin. Voters in the district, which spans farmland and small cities in central Washington, will decide the outcome.
A message from 47th President Donald J. Trump is displayed on Truth Social on 08/05/2026.
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Washington’s 4th District has favored Republicans in recent cycles, making it a defensive priority rather than a marquee battleground. The top-two format has produced same-party general elections in the district before, when two Republicans advanced together. This year’s lineup pairs a Republican against a Democrat, a more conventional matchup for the seat.
Trump endorsements in Washington primaries have shaped Republican fields before. His backing has helped candidates consolidate support in crowded primaries across multiple states since 2016. Whether an endorsement translates into a November victory depends on turnout and the broader political environment in the district.
The next decision rests with voters in Washington’s 4th District, who will settle the McKinney-Duresky race at the general election in November 2026. State officials will certify the primary results in the weeks after the August vote. The exact certification date for this contest has not been announced.
Trump’s habit of claiming credit for down-ballot Republican wins isn’t the first time a president has leaned into congressional primaries. Theodore Roosevelt campaigned aggressively for allies in the 1904 cycle, and Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to purge disloyal Democrats in the 1938 primaries, according to britannica.com. Roosevelt’s 1938 effort largely failed, as most of the incumbents he opposed won renomination, a reminder that presidential endorsements do not guarantee results.
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