After Speaking Out On Impeachment, Herrera Beutler Heads Toward Clash With Her Party [View all]

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Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler thrust herself into the national spotlight on Friday when the Washington Republican came out with a stunning account of Donald Trump's actions on the day of the Capitol insurrection. In a statement put out on the eve of the vote in Trump's Senate impeachment trial, Herrera Beutler said that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told her that in a conversation with the then-president on Jan. 6, Trump appeared to side with the mob, telling him the rioters were "more upset about the election than you are."

For most Republicans, particularly those in ruby-red districts, the statement would seem to doom any hope of avoiding a primary challenge and winning reelection. But for Herrera Beutler, a Republican in deep blue Washington state, the potential ramifications may not be so straightforward.

While it's too early to tell how the majority of her constituents may respond come next year's midterm elections, donors and political experts said on Saturday that Herrera Beutler's independent streak may actually serve to strengthen her hold on southwest Washington.

"I could see a primary in 2022 where Republicans put forward a very clear Trump candidate. Her weakness will be on the right," said Mark Stephan, an associate professor of political science at Washington State University. "But I think there will be Democrats who will vote for her because they felt she acted courageously in this case."

https://www.npr.org/2021/02/14/967723558/after-speaking-out-on-impeachment-herrera-beutler-heads-toward-clash-with-her-pa?ft=nprml&f=1001

If they primary her and get a RWNJ the seat is likely to go blue. She was elected in 2010 as part of the Tea Party wave after her predecessor Democrat Brian Baird retired.