The fight for control of the U.S. House of Representatives is intensifying in Washington's 3rd Congressional District, a swing seat that President Donald Trump has won three times. Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who flipped the district in 2022, is seeking reelection against Republican state Sen. John Braun. The outcome of this race is viewed by both parties as pivotal for securing a congressional majority, with Democrats needing to hold the seat to gain the House and Republicans needing to win it to maintain power and advance the president's agenda.
The district comprises a mix of urban centers like Vancouver, industrial hubs, and rural coastal communities, creating a unique political landscape where partisan labels often take a backseat to local issues. Both candidates are positioning themselves as moderates who understand the diverse needs of the region, which ranges from timber and aquaculture industries to growing urban development. The race is characterized by high volatility, with voters in the district historically splitting their tickets between presidential and congressional candidates.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic leaders view Gluesenkamp Perez's retention of this seat as essential for the party's path to a House majority. Despite her moderate voting record, including support for the SAVE Act and a bill requiring parental consent for gender identity changes in schools, she has defended these positions as common sense for Southwest Washington. "I do not support noncitizens voting in American elections — and that's common sense to folks in Southwest Washington," Gluesenkamp Perez stated in an April statement regarding her vote on the SAVE Act.
However, some progressive Democrats in the district have expressed dissatisfaction with her bipartisan votes. Gretchen Hoyt, a Vancouver resident, noted that while some voters felt betrayed by her support for Republican-sponsored legislation, many remain unwilling to vote for Braun. "People feel betrayed because people thought, 'OK cool. She owns her own business. … Really. Like I'm one of you.' Then it felt like that was just a schtick in order to get the blue vote," Hoyt said. A primary challenger emerged in response to these votes, highlighting internal friction within the local Democratic base.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican nominee John Braun, who has secured President Trump's endorsement, is campaigning on his background as the owner of a manufacturing business and his experience in the state legislature. Braun argues that his private sector experience gives him a distinct advantage in addressing the economic concerns of the district, particularly regarding tariffs. "A lot of districts these days are pretty predictable in terms of their politics... The third is not. You got to go earn those votes," Braun said during an interview at his facility.
Braun has positioned himself as an independent voice within the Republican party, stating he would break with the president on trade policy. "There are some appropriate uses for tariffs. But kind of the indiscriminate use, the broad use, the blanketed use, just that doesn't work," Braun argued. "We need to be a little more thoughtful on tariff policy." He emphasizes the need to represent the varied interests of the district, noting that urban Vancouver and rural coastal towns have different priorities.
What the Numbers Show
Washington's 3rd District has a history of competitive elections. President Trump won the district in 2016, 2020, and 2024, yet Gluesenkamp Perez won the congressional seat in 2022. Former Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who represented the district previously, was ousted in a primary in 2022 after voting to impeach Trump. Clark County, which includes Vancouver, has trended Democratic since 2008, while Pacific County, a rural area, voted for Trump in 2024 but also elected Gluesenkamp Perez.
Economic data from the district highlights the impact of federal policy on local industries. Kathleen Nisbet, owner of Goose Point Oysters, reported losing over 50% of international sales due to current trade tensions. Nisbet also estimated spending approximately $200,000 annually on regulatory agency fees. In Vancouver, housing prices have risen significantly, with many homes listed for over $700,000, according to local residents. The district's rural communities, such as Ilwaco, rely heavily on federal infrastructure dollars and seasonal tourism, with only about half of the population residing there full-time.
The Bottom Line
The race in Washington's 3rd District serves as a bellwether for the broader midterm dynamics, testing the efficacy of partisan loyalty versus local authenticity. Voters in the district, such as Longview Mayor Erik Halvorson, emphasize that political independence and authenticity are valued over strict party alignment. "We don't vote down the ballot one way or the other. Trump can win the city, but Marie Gluesenkamp Perez can win the city as well on the same ballot. So it's really person specific," Halvorson said.
With both candidates owning small businesses and residing in rural towns, the election hinges on their ability to address specific local economic pain points, including tariffs affecting manufacturers and aquaculture, regulatory burdens on small farms, and housing affordability in urban centers. The result will likely be determined by which candidate can better demonstrate an understanding of the district's unique blend of industrial, coastal, and suburban interests, rather than by national partisan trends.