Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez fights to keep a foothold in conservative Pacific Northwest district

Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, 38, is working to hold a Southwest Washington seat that Democrats would need if they hope to retake the U. S. House. Her 3rd Congressional District has backed Donald Trump every time he has run, yet it has sent her to Congress twice. Democrats cannot win the chamber without at least a dozen Trump-voting districts, so lawmakers like her may matter more to a durable majority than the democratic socialists who won primaries in safe blue seats, according to the Associated Press, according to PBS NewsHour.

This year's race looks different. Her previous two opponents included Joe Kent, who had ties to extremists. Now she faces John Braun, a businessman and state legislator who may appeal more to moderates. The district mixes part of the Portland, Oregon, metro area with rural fishing, logging and manufacturing communities.

She has broken with her party on student debt relief, immigration, defense spending, and censure votes against fellow Democrats, and last month twice sided with Republicans on procedural matters. She champions right-to-repair rules and measures against sea lions near Columbia River dams. In 2024 she won by 3 points while Kamala Harris lost the district by 4.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →