Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Faces a Competitive Primary Tuesday in Washington's Third District, Squeezed Between Progressive Brent Hennrich

Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faces a competitive primary Tuesday in Washington's third district, squeezed between progressive Brent Hennrich and Republican state Sen. John Braun.

The top two finishers advance to November regardless of party. Gluesenkamp Perez, an auto repair shop owner, flipped the seat in 2022 after narrowly beating Trump-endorsed Joe Kent. Trump carried the district in all three presidential runs, most recently by about three points, yet Perez ran seven points ahead of her party's nominee in 2024. Local Democrats criticize her votes on the Save Act, a gender identity bill, and Iran war funding.

"She has turned out to be just an absolute epic failure for Democrats, said Hennrich. Defenders argue the district's Republican lean limits her options. "Flipping the House is our goal, said Terri Niles, chair of the 17th Legislative District Democrats. An Emerson College poll in mid-July found Perez and Braun tied.