Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faces Republican challenger John Braun in a competitive race for Washington's 3rd Congressional District. As Democrats aim to reclaim the U.S. House majority through districts carried by Donald Trump, Gluesenkamp Perez highlights her independent blue-collar positioning, while Braun's labor safety record at his family-owned manufacturing business faces new scrutiny.
John Braun's emergency vehicle business
- ▪John Braun operates a family-owned emergency vehicle manufacturing business in Chehalis, Washington, whose labor and safety record faces scrutiny during his House campaign.
- ▪John Braun's parents founded Braun Northwest 40 years ago, and Braun was named president of the emergency vehicle manufacturing firm in 2006.
The Washington 3rd Congressional District race
- ▪Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is seeking reelection in Washington's 3rd Congressional District against Republican challenger John Braun.
- ▪John Braun, a state legislator, business executive, and Navy veteran, is challenging Marie Gluesenkamp Perez after former Republican nominee Joe Kent lost the district in 2022 and 2024.
- ▪Marie Gluesenkamp Perez won Washington's 3rd Congressional District by 3 points in 2024 while Donald Trump won the district by 4 points.
Perez's policy positions
- ▪Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has prioritized blue-collar priorities including right-to-repair legislation and policies to reduce sea lion predation on salmon near Columbia River dams.
- ▪Marie Gluesenkamp Perez opposes student debt relief and supported the Laken Riley immigration bill alongside defense spending provisions that restricted climate and abortion initiatives.
Perez's breaks with House Democrats
- ▪Progressive Change Campaign Committee co-founder Adam Green criticized Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for opposing fellow Democrats for performative political reasons.
- ▪Last month, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez voted twice with House Republicans on procedural motions, enabling Republicans to force a vote on a resolution condemning socialism.
- ▪Marie Gluesenkamp Perez stated her responsibility is explaining her district's priorities to Washington, D.C., rather than letting party leadership define local priorities.
- ▪Marie Gluesenkamp Perez voted to censure Democratic Representatives Al Green and Rashida Tlaib and introduced a reprimand resolution against Democratic Representative Chuy Garcia.
Democratic strategy in Trump-won districts
- ▪Democrats must win at least a dozen districts carried by Donald Trump to secure a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- ▪Third Way executive vice president Jim Kessler stated that Democrats need centrist appeal to win and maintain House seats in districts that voted for Donald Trump.
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