Gluesenkamp Perez holds Washington's key 3rd District seat
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U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in June. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has won a third term in Washington's 3rd Congressional District, defending the swing-district seat she flipped blue four years ago, The Associated Press reports.
Why it matters: The 3rd District is Washington state's toughest congressional battleground — one of about 50 races that were considered pivotal to deciding control of the U.S. House.
The latest: Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Skamania County) captured about 55% of the vote in early returns from Tuesday's vote-by-mail election.
- John Braun, the state Senate Republican leader who sought to unseat her, had about 44% of the vote.
- The AP called the race for Gluesenkamp Perez on Wednesday morning.
Flashback: The southwest Washington district was represented by a Republican for 12 years before Gluesenkamp Perez won there in 2022.
Yes, but: The race against Braun was a different kind of matchup for Perez, who defeated far-right Republican Joe Kent in the past two general elections.
- Braun, though endorsed by President Trump, is more moderate than Kent and at times distanced himself from the president's policies.
- On the campaign trail, Braun spoke in favor of lower taxes, while disagreeing with Trump's tariff policies and questioning some of the administration's recent immigration enforcement actions.
- He also expressed support for Washington's vote-by-mail system.
Gluesenkamp Perez, meanwhile, has criticized Braun for his support of H.R. 1 — President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" — which cut Medicaid spending in part by imposing new work requirements.
- She also has emphasized her opposition to the Iran war, highlighting her votes to try to end the conflict.
- Braun has called Iran "a complicated problem," while saying he does not support an ongoing war there "without clear objectives and without a clear ending point."
Between the lines: Gluesenkamp Perez's voting record has at times put her at odds with progressives in her party.
- She opposed former President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan and supported the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
- Recently, she sided with Republicans on a pair of procedural votes, angering Democratic leaders.
The bottom line: Gluesenkamp Perez's latest victory shows she can win in her purple district even against a more mainstream Republican opponent.