Jerrod Sessler
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{{Short description|American racing driver (born 1969)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Jerrod Sessler
|image =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|8|26}}
|birth_place = Prosser, Washington, U.S.
|death_date =
|death_place =
|party = Republican
|education = Highline College
Kennedy Western University (BA)
|module = {{Infobox racing driver
|embed = yes
|last series = NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series
|years active = 1998–2002}}
}}
Jerrod Sessler (born August 26, 1969) is an American far-right{{Cite web|url=https://jewishinsider.com/2024/10/jerrod-sessler-dan-newhouse-washington-gop-washington/|title=Washington Rep. Dan Newhouse faces isolationist Jerrod Sessler in intra-GOP fight|first=Marc|last=Rod|date=October 16, 2024|website=Jewish Insider}}{{Cite web |last=ROSANE |first=ERIC |date=2024-09-04 |title=Moderate Republicans may have courted MAGA voters to save Newhouse in Central WA race |url=https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article291931150.html |website=Tri-City Herald}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.washington.edu/federalrelations/2024/10/29/washington-state-election-forecast-part-ii/|title=Washington State Election Forecast: Part II|date=October 29, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2024/07/central-wa-4th-district-race-heats-conservative-showdown|title=In Central WA, 4th District race heats up in conservative showdown | Cascade PBS|first=Mai|last=Hoang|website=www.cascadepbs.org}} political candidate and former NASCAR driver. He drove the #4 Ford Taurus in the Whelen All-American Series and the now-defunct NASCAR Northwest Series,{{Cite web|url=http://jerrodsessler.com/bio.htm|title=Jerrod Sessler Motorsports bio's page|website=Jerrodsessler.com|access-date=June 29, 2022|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307014748/http://www.jerrodsessler.com/bio.htm|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Korum Ford and Sessler Motorsports |url=http://www.racingwest.com/news/articles/3074-korum-ford-and-sessler-motorsports-driving.html |publisher=RacingWest.com |date=November 29, 2001 |access-date=January 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127024013/http://www.racingwest.com/news/articles/3074-korum-ford-and-sessler-motorsports-driving.html |archive-date=January 27, 2012 }} which also had Greg Biffle and Kevin Hamlin as drivers.
From 1987 to 1989, Sessler was a Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class on the USS Constellation (CV-64).{{Cite news| last = Zwahlen | first = Cyndia | title = Franchises lure military veterans |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1154406701.html?dids=1154406701:1154406701&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723113143/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1154406701.html?dids=1154406701:1154406701&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2012 | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | date = November 1, 2006 | access-date = January 25, 2012 }}{{Cite web | last = McHatton | first = R. J. | title = Library of Congress, American Folklife Center, Veterans History Project, Jerrod Sessler Collection |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/51074 | publisher = Library of Congress | date = | access-date = January 25, 2012 }} He is a Stage IV cancer survivor{{Cite web|title=Korum Ford and Sessler Motorsports |url=http://www.racingwest.com/news/articles/10294-nascar-driver-cancer-survivor-initiates-fund.html |website=RacingWest.com |date=January 18, 2005 |access-date=January 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127024007/http://www.racingwest.com/news/articles/10294-nascar-driver-cancer-survivor-initiates-fund.html |archive-date=January 27, 2012 }} who maintains a vegan, raw foods diet.{{Cite web|last=Bier |first=A. Tracy |title=Who's the NASCAR Driver Chomping on a Red Pepper? |url=http://www.rawfoodsnewsmagazine.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=175 |publisher=Raw Foods News Magazine |date=February 7, 2006 |access-date=January 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222624/http://www.rawfoodsnewsmagazine.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=175 |archive-date= March 3, 2016 }}
He moved to Burien, Washington in 1974 and was recognized as Burien's 1st Gold Member by Discover Burien in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://b-townblog.com/discover-burien-announces-first-gold-member-jerrod-sessler-of-hometask/|title= Discover Burien announces first 'Gold Member' – Jerrod Sessler of HomeTask |date=March 7, 2015|website=The B Town Blog}}
He is the founder of HomeTask.com.{{Cite web | last = Duvall | first = Gary | title = Electronic UFOC Disclosure | url = http://www.franchise.org/Franchise-News-Detail.aspx?id=40578 | publisher = Franchising World | date = August 2005 | access-date = January 25, 2012 | archive-date = April 7, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140407084520/http://www.franchise.org/Franchise-News-Detail.aspx?id=40578 | url-status = dead }} One subsidiary, Yellow Van Handyman, was recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as a "Franchise 500" firm in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013.{{Cite web | last = | first = | title = Home Repairs: Yellow Van Handyman |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/yellowvanhandyman/328246-0.html | publisher = Entrepreneur | date = | access-date = January 25, 2012 }}
Sessler lived in King County until he ran for public office in 2022, promptly buying a ranch in Yakima. After losing the primary, he moved back to King County. In 2024, he moved back to Yakima to run for office.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/oct/20/central-washington-voters-to-choose-between-two-ve/|title=Central Washington voters to choose between two very different Republicans in House race between Jerrod Sessler, Dan Newhouse | The Spokesman-Review|website=www.spokesman.com}}
Political positions
Sessler was in Washington, D.C. when the attack on the Capitol occurred, and subsequently stated that he did not breach into the Capitol. Sessler has made unsubstantiated claims that the riot was a "setup" perpetrated by paid "agitators" and the FBI meant to discredit Donald Trump and his supporters.{{Cite news |last=Cary |first=Annette |date=June 29, 2022 |title=WA 4th District candidate Sessler denounces Jan. 6 hearing. 'I was there' |work=The Tri-City Herald |url=https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article262821483.html |access-date=July 12, 2022}} He has made false and discredited claims of election fraud in regard to the 2020 presidential election, including claims that Trump won.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2022 |title=Here's why some Republicans keep pushing big election lies |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/heres-why-some-republicans-keep-pushing-big-election-lies/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}
Sessler has made white supremacist comments, including his belief that Muslims should not be allowed to serve in Congress.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/government/elections/how-dan-newhouse-and-jerrod-sessler-would-lead-in-d-c/article_24b6dada-8733-11ef-95b9-1bbe9f72e15d.html|title=How Dan Newhouse and Jerrod Sessler would lead in D.C.|first=JASPER KENZO SUNDEEN Yakima|last=Herald-Republic|date=October 14, 2024|website=Yakima Herald-Republic}} On an X post, he doubled down on these claims, responding that "[w]hat I said is true...it is nonsensical for people who love and appreciate all that it is to be American to vote for a Muslim, especially a radical one. Just because it is legal doesn’t mean it is helpful to the country, to our kids or to our future."{{Cite web |last=@Sessler |date=2024-10-16 |title=What I said is true. What you have turned it into is journalistic malfeasance (aka: editorializing). As divisive as it is in America, Muslims may legally take the oath of office. Some even place their hand on the Quran which unequivocally calls for the killing of anyone that is not Muslim. {Please read that sentence again if needed.} It is nonsensical for people who love and appreciate all that it is to be American to vote for a Muslim, especially a radical one. Just because it is legal doesn't mean it is helpful to the country, to our kids or to our future... |url=https://x.com/Sessler/status/1846586441943617872 |website=Twitter}}
Sessler supports implementing a federal 30% sales tax nationwide on all goods in an effort to contribute to reducing the deficit and paying down the national debt.{{Cite web |title=The FAIR Tax |url=https://www.jerrodforcongress.com/TheFAIRtax.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312042656/https://www.jerrodforcongress.com/TheFAIRtax.html |archive-date=2023-03-12 |access-date= |website=www.jerrodforcongress.com}} This was previously a major part of Sessler's platform, however after receiving criticism over his support of such a policy, all mentions of have now been deleted from his campaign website, although he has not explicitly retracted his support from the policy.
Tax issues
In 2022, The Tri-City Herald newspaper reported that taxes were past due on Sessler's Benton County property.{{cite web |date=June 23, 2022 |title=WA congressional candidate Sessler's land has taxes due |url=https://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/editorials/article262740867.html |publisher=The Tri-City Herald |access-date=March 4, 2023}}
Accusation of threats
In 2022, Sessler was accused of making threats towards a Benton County code enforcement officer when he visited Sessler's property to investigate a claim that someone on his property was living in a house under construction. As reported by the Tri-City Herald, Sessler told the officer that he would get his gun and "deal with him" if the officer returned to the property.{{cite web |date=February 10, 2023 |last1=Cary |first1=Annette |title=WA congressional candidate accused of threats to pull a gun on a Tri-Cities inspector |url=https://www.aol.com/news/wa-congressional-candidate-accused-threats-180658625.html |publisher=AOL |access-date=March 1, 2023}}
Electoral history
Sessler ran for the United States House of Representatives in 2022 as a member of the Republican Party in Washington's 4th congressional district against incumbent Dan Newhouse, but lost in the primary.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jerrodforcongress.com/|title=Jerrod Sessler for Congress|website=Jerrodforcongress.com|access-date=June 29, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Myah |title=GOP Rep. Dan Newhouse advances through primary after voting to impeach Trump |url=https://www.politico.com/gop-rep-dan-newhouse-advances-through-primary-after-voting-to-impeach-trump |access-date=August 6, 2022 |website=POLITICO |date=August 5, 2022 |language=en}}
Sessler announced a second bid for Washington's 4th congressional district in 2024, once again challenging Newhouse. His campaign received the endorsement of former president Trump.{{cite news |author=Gorman, Reese |date=April 12, 2024 |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-lashes-out-at-impeacher-foe-dan-newhouse-by-backing-his-opponent-jerrod-sessler |access-date=May 19, 2024 |title=Vengeful Trump Takes Aim at Pro-Impeachment GOP Congressman}}{{cite news|title=Spin Control: Expect to hear about RINOs and DINOs through Aug. 6 primary|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/may/12/spin-control-expect-to-hear-about-rinos-and-dinos-/|work=The Spokesman-Review|date=May 10, 2024}} In the blanket primary on August 6, Sessler came in first and advanced to the general election against Newhouse. Sessler announced a series of seven debates against Newhouse, whose campaign had not agreed to participate on those specific dates.{{cite news |last=Rosane |first=Eric |date=September 6, 2024 |title=Newhouse campaign 'shocked' by opponent's news release that they will debate 7 times |url=https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article292051810.html |work=Tri-City Herald |accessdate=September 7, 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|1=http://www.jerrodsessler.com/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sessler, Jerrod}}
Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections
Category:Racing drivers from Washington (state)
Category:Sportspeople from King County, Washington
Category:Protesters in or near the January 6 United States Capitol attack
Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States House of Representatives elections
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