Choice in 4th Congressional District

CONNELL - Both candidates for the 4th Congressional District House seat say they are conservatives, but one has to be farther right than the other.

That's what voters will have to determine in the next month or so. They'll vote right or farther right.

The winner could be the one who attracts moderates or even liberals. He could also be the loser by seeming to cater to the left and alienating Republican moderates.

So far, Didier is not saying anything to woo liberals. He says he will remain that way through the campaign. His conservatism won't be compromised or sold away.

Didier calls Dan Newhouse of Mabton, who was a close second in the primaries, anything but conservative.

"He was the secretary of agriculture under Gov. Christine Gregoire," Didier said. "She was a Democrat. So he, at least, had to compromise with them."

Didier says Congressman Doc Hastings of Pasco, who is retiring, was an establishment Republican. He was not surprised Doc endorsed Newhouse.

"No, I didn't ask for his endorsement," Didier said in a recent interview. "I knew I wouldn't get it. He told me a few years ago he doesn't endorse candidates."

Didier ran for the U.S. Senate in 2010. Other than his NFL years and Super Bowl, he had no name recognition outside of Connell. He finished second in the Republican primary to Dino Rossi.

Didier ran for statewide office again in 2012. He finished second to Peter Goldmark in the race for commissioner of public lands, but he had grown his name recognition again.

Didier, who won this year's Congressional primary, finds similarities between his attempt to get elected and his rise in football - it's been step by step.

Didier was a nobody when he left Connell. He was 6-foot-4 but only 167 pounds. The only college that would even look at him was CBC in Pasco. He bulked up to 195 pounds.

"That was the first time I had been in a weight room," he said.

He finished college at Portland State, growing to 235 pounds and harboring dreams of playing for the Seattle Seahawks.

"They were my favorite team, still are," he said. "They were my hometown team."

Didier asked the Seahawks to let him demonstrate his speed in the 40-yard dash. They had absolutely no interest.

Though Didier didn't think so at the time, Seattle did him a favor. The Washington Redskins of coach Joe Gibbs and quarterbacks Joe Theisman and Doug Williams were interested. Gibbs had spotted him catching passes for prolific PSU quarterback Neil Lomax.

Didier developed into a well-known tight end, played in three Super Bowls and won two rings.

In 2010 and 2012, Didier ran his political 40-yard dashes. Now he's hoping voters will give him a new two-year contract in Washington.

The reason Didier is running is that he sees the country eroding. For a while he only talked the talk. In 2010 he decided that talk was not enough.

"I'm a simple individual who got to live the American Dream because of other people's sacrifices," he said. "I want to make sure that our kids have that same opportunity."

According to Didier, real political conservatism is a vision of the heart rooted in old and unchanging truths and principles. He says it is values rooted in faith that was taught and learned long ago in homes, schools and churches.

"It's about patriotism, following the Golden Rule, and commitment to the betterment of self, one's community, state and country, and the enduring ideas of our founding fathers," he said.

Didier calls this a most dangerous time for the American Republic. He says it stands on the brink of self-annihilation.

"Our federal government has fallen into the hands of a president and congress who are taking us into uncharted economic waters with incomprehensible spending and unconscionable deficits," he said. "Sadly, too many of the Republicans, who we elect to defend our liberty and our pocketbooks, have ignored our party platforms and surrendered to the left."

Didier believes the free market and free enterprise are the best hope for prosperity for the most people. He says excessive regulation and taxation suppresses the private sector's ability to create wealth.

"Our economy works best when our citizens are allowed to keep the fruits of their own labor," he said. "With lower taxes, businesses have more money to invest and create jobs. Government doesn't create wealth or jobs."

Didier is opposed to abortion, saying "life is a gift of God."

"The Declaration of Independence states that our unalienable rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Therefore, it is the express job of government to protect all innocent human life."

Didier believes that family begins with a marriage between one man and one woman. That is the only type of marriage he'll support.

"Doc believes in many of the same things I do," Didier said. "However, Doc was in office for 20 years, and many believe that he had tired of the fight.

"There is no question that Washington D.C. is a tough place, and the constant pressures can wear a person down. I will bring a renewed energy, aggressiveness and a full commitment to the cause of freedom while protecting the interests of my congressional district.

Didier says Newhouse wants to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a Republican health care plan. He says that would be the substitution of one socialist plan for another. He will fight for repeal and the return of health care to people and their doctors.

"Trillion dollar deficits and continued resolutions to raise the debt ceiling have been a hallmark of this Congress under speaker John Boehner," Didier said. "Congress has the constitutional authority and moral obligation to reign in the spending, balance the budget, and stop burdening our posterity with unconscionable debt."