Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Booker Auction's Merle Booker, left, and Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier auction at President Trump Tommy gun during a fund-raising dinner for Republican candidates Friday night, Oct. 29, in Eltopia.
ELTOPIA - Hundreds of area Republicans turned out Friday night to hear from political candidates for Congress and raise money to help with conservative causes.
Candidates turning out for the event included Fourth Congressional District hopefuls Benton County deputy sheriff and legislative representative Brad Klippert of Kennewick, former sailor and NASCAR driver Jerrod Sessler of Richland and Iraq combat veteran Ben Garcia of Sunnyside.
The trio are hoping to unseat three-term incumbent, Dan Newhouse of Sunnyside, next year.
Newhouse did not attend the event.
Instead. Newhouse sent a representative to read a letter to the conservative group that earlier this year called for his ouster after he voted to impeach President Donald Trump.
Tiffany Smiley of Pasco, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, also appeared and gave the keynote speech on her attempt to unseat incumbent Sen. Patty Murray next year.
Smiley, a farmer who grew up outside of Eltopia, spoke at length about her battle with the Veterans Administration and entrenched politicians in Washington, D.C., over her husband Scotty Smiley's combat injuries.
Scotty Smiley was injured and blinded by a suicide bomber while serving in Iraq.
In addition to the speakers, Republicans participated in a dessert auction, a silent auction and a firearms auction.
Several special President Trump special edition firearms were auction, including a .45 caliber handgun and a gangster-style Tommy gun, both of which brought in more than $6,000.
Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.
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