Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and John Braun Advance in Washington Primary

Gluesenkamp Perez and Braun Advance to General Election

Under Washington’s nonpartisan primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.

The 3rd District, located in the southwestern corner of the state, encompasses Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum, and Skamania counties, as well as a portion of southern Thurston County.

A Battleground for House Control

The contest is considered one of the most closely watched House races of the cycle, as it will help determine which party controls the lower chamber. The district is a key battleground; it is one of 13 districts that elected a Democrat to the House while also voting for President Donald Trump in 2024. In that presidential election, the district backed Trump by about three points.

Political analysts offer differing views on the seat’s viability. The Cook Political Report rates the race as a tossup, while the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics classifies it as leans Democratic.

Republicans view the seat as a top pick-up opportunity. Conversely, Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, described Gluesenkamp Perez as an authentic, independent leader focused on rural schools, infrastructure, and the timber economy.

Gluesenkamp Perez’s Moderate Strategy

Gluesenkamp Perez, who flipped the Republican-held seat in 2022, is seeking a third term. She has built a profile as a moderate by emphasizing her experience as a co-owner of an auto repair shop and breaking with her party on several high-profile issues. Her record includes:

• Voting against President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan.
• Supporting military aid for Israel.
• Backing a version of the Save Act, Trump’s elections overhaul bill.
• Taking positions against the Democratic party on immigration and transgender rights.

This approach drew criticism from the left. Brent Hennrich, a progressive who ran on policies such as Medicare for All and taxing the wealthy, argued that Gluesenkamp Perez had drifted too far from the Democratic party.

Following the primary, Gluesenkamp Perez stated she was humbled by the show of support and encouraged by voters demanding loyalty to our district, rejecting unthinking partisanship, [and] practical solutions.

The Republican Challenge

John Braun, the minority leader of the Washington State Senate since 2012, is a Navy veteran and businessman who operates an emergency vehicle manufacturing plant. He is running on a pledge to stop federal government spending.

In an interview with KGW, Braun affirmed that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Additionally, he criticized the indiscriminate use of tariffs, noting they could be harmful to his own manufacturing business, though he supports import taxes to address threats from Russia and China.

Braun is described as a more mainstream GOP figure than Joe Kent, the candidate Gluesenkamp Perez defeated twice previously.

However, Trump also referred to Gluesenkamp Perez as a true radical left extremist.