Crowded field of candidates vies for open House seat in Washington state

June 30, 2014: Dan Newhouse, a U.S. House candidate running in the 4th District of Washington, standing, speaks as other candidates listen, at a forum in Othello, Wash. A total of 13 candidates are running to replace U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings. (AP)

A crowded field of candidates is vying for the open 4th District Congressional seat in the Washington primary election.

A dozen people -- eight Republicans, two independents and two Democrats -- are seeking to replace retiring Republican Rep. Doc Hastings.

Republicans Dan Newhouse and Clint Didier are among the strongest candidates running in Tuesday's primary.

Newhouse, a former legislator and state agriculture director, has raised the most money. Didier, a former NFL star who won two Super Bowl rings playing with Washington, has the most name recognition. He is a farmer from Eltopia who ran as a tea party candidate.

The 4th District in central Washington, which includes Yakima and the Tri-Cities, hasn't elected a Democrat since 1992. Hastings generally cruised to victory since winning the seat in 1994.