Liz Cheney likely to lose House seat: How other pro-impeachment Republican leaders performed in primaries

Liz Cheney is likely to lose her House seat to a Trump-backed challenger later Tuesday in Wyoming’s primary election. Cheney is among the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 riots.

The vast majority of those against Trump have either been denied re-election or retired. Cheney is among the last of the 10 other Republicans. Only six of those members sought reelection, and just two survived a difficult primary challenge to become the Republican nominee in the November general election.

Trump-backed challenger Harriet Hageman is favored to win the Republican primary for the US House seat and end Cheney’s three-term congressional career.

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According to recent polls, Hageman is in a massive lead over the incumbent Republican representative.

Here’s how the other pro-impeachment Republican leaders performed:

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Washington

Beutler backed out of her race in Washington State’s open primary on Aug. 9, as Republican Joe Kent, who received Trump’s endorsement, secured a spot.

“Rep. Beutler voted for the impeachment of President Trump based on a false narrative that Trump inspired an armed insurrection against the Capitol,” Kent told Fox News in an email. “But the facts don’t matter to the left or Rep. Beutler.”

Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Michigan

Meijer lost his primary on Aug. 2 to Trump-backed opponent John Gibbs. He blamed the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) meddling for the loss, saying that it was “risky” and “paints a very telling picture of where our politics are in 2022.”

Rep. Tom Rice, R-South Carolina

Rice conceded his race to Trump-backed challenger Russell Fry in South Carolina’s June 14 primary.

Fry told Fox News at the time that he would not have run against Rice if the congressman had not voted for impeachment.

“I think the impeachment is the big elephant in the room and the voters are incredibly frustrated by that,” Fry said.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Illinois

Kinzinger, who serves on the January 6 committee, chose not to seek re-election.

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“I want to make it clear, this isn’t the end of my political future but the beginning,” Kinzinger said while announcing his withdrawal from the race. “Let me be clear, my passion for this country has only grown. My desire to make a difference is bigger than it’s ever been.”

Rep. John Katko, R-New York

Katko announced in January that he would run in his central New York district, claiming it was “so that I can enjoy my family and life in a fuller and more present way.”

Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan

Upton announced his retirement in April.

Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio

Citing the “toxic dynamics inside” the Republican Party, Gonzalez said he will not seek re-election. He had been put against former Trump aide Max Miller.

Miller told Fox News that “weak Republicans” like Gonzalez “need to see the door and have an exit.” Miller said Trump endorsed him because “he knows that I am not ever going to fold or take a knee, and I will continue to fight for the people and the America First agenda no matter at what cost.”

Rep. David Valadao, R-California

The only Republican who did not face a Trump-backed primary challenger is Valadao. He survived his primary challenger, Chris Mathys, to secure a spot on the November ballot.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington

Newhouse made it to the November ballot despite facing a Trump-backed challenger, Loren Culp.