Control of Congress at stake in Washington CD3

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) - One of the most hotly contested Congressional elections that could determine control of Congress is in Washington’s third district.

Incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., is seeking a third term in the battleground congressional district. She is facing off against Republican Washington senator John Braun, Democrat Brent Hennrich and six other candidates.

Both Braun and Hennrich have criticized Gluesenkamp Perez for her voting record. Braun said Gluesenkamp Perez has repeatedly pushed back against federal and state tax cuts.

“In spite of her claims to be moderate, she has been pro-tax in every aspect of her voting in Washington, D.C.,” Braun told The Center Square.

Gluesenkamp-Perez voted against the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which included tax provisions including no tax on tips and no tax on overtime pay.

“She talks a good game when she talks about affordability, but on the issues that really matter, on the issues that cost individual taxpayers, individual voters in their daily lives, she’s been absolutely wrong on the issues,” Braun said.

The second-term congresswoman has supported a vast array of bipartisan legislation. She supported Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in the No Capital Gains Tax on Family Farms Act, which places restrictions on taxes against family farms.

She has also supported legislation to mandate price transparency of government contracts and certain actions that increase the federal deficit. Additionally, she supported a resolution calling for the federal budget deficit to stay at or below 3% of gross domestic product.

“Our nation’s deficit is worsening and we urgently need to balance our budget and get back on track,” Gluesenkamp Perez said.

She also supported the bipartisan Fiscal Commission Act, legislation that would create a committee dedicated to addressing excesses in the country’s budget.

“By establishing a bipartisan fiscal commission, Congress will have to finally face our uncomfortable fiscal situation – that way we can plan for our future and avoid passing on more debt to our children,” Gluesenkamp Perez said.

Washington’s proposed income tax has remained a hot topic for candidates across the state and in federal elections. Gluesenkamp Perez has stayed largely quiet about her position on the proposed tax.

Braun was first elected to the Washington Senate in 2012 and has served as the minority leader since 2020. President Donald Trump endorsed Braun in the state’s election.

“John is running against Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a true Radical Left Extremist with a Track record that REEKS, and who does not represent the values of Southwestern Washington,” Trump wrote.

Braun has focused his campaign on putting an end to tax hikes in federal and state programs. He has defended the “One Big Beautiful Bill” for its reforms to taxes and federal benefit programs.

“Sadly, [Gluesenkamp Perez] voted against the Biggest Tax Cut in History, and fought ferociously to knock out Rural Healthcare, a big factor in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District,” Trump wrote.

Hennrich is also running to challenge Gluesenkamp Perez. However, Hennrich said he is challenging her because of her moderate views. He criticized Gluesenkamp Perez for being one of four Democrats to vote for a bill funding the ICE and Border Patrol $70 billion after a lack of funds shut down the agency.

He also criticized her for supporting the SAVE Act in April 2025, legislation that would require individuals to provide documentary proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. Hennrich said Gluesenkamp Perez has appeared to withdraw from holding town hall meetings because of her vote on the SAVE Act.

“She’s never shown up in the entire four years to speak to what’s going on,” Hennrich told The Center Square. “She’s never spoken to what the Trump administration is doing right now, which is unconstitutional.”

Hennrich said would support repealing cuts from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” if he was elected. He also called for expanding Medicaid by doubling the federal government’s level of support in the program.

“There are places right now all over, especially in the South, where these states just will not expand Medicaid, so we need to do it for them,” Hennrich said.

The two candidates with the most votes in the Aug. 4 primary will progress to the general election in November, regardless of party affiliation.

Gluesenkamp Perez has more than $2 million in cash on hand, according to the Federal Elections Commission. She has received more than $40,000 from the Jeffries Battleground Fund, a political fund associated with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries; $3,000 from the American Sugar Cane League of the USA PAC; and $7,000 from Joseph Curiel, a financial advisor at Raymond James.

Braun follows behind with more than $1.1 million in fundraising. He has received more than $37,000 from the Emmer Majority Fund, associated with Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.; $10,000 from the Eye of the Tiger PAC, associated with Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La.; and $2,500 from Caterpillar Inc. PAC.

Hennrich follows behind both Braun and Gluesenkamp Perez with $17,000 in cash on hand. Most of Hennrich’s contributions come from small individual donors.