Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican state Sen. John Braun advanced to the November general election in Washington’s Third Congressional District, following a nonpartisan primary on Tuesday.
The Associated Press projected Braun and Gluesenkamp Perez as the top two vote-getters in the all-candidates primary, which determines the finalists for the November ballot. With 59 percent of votes counted, Gluesenkamp Perez led with 39.1 percent, while Braun followed closely at 38.5 percent. Progressive Democrat Brent Hennrich finished third with 15.5 percent, according to AP projections.
The race will determine control of the House in the 2024 midterms and is one of the most competitive congressional contests in the country. The Cook Political Report rates the district as a toss-up, while the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics lists it as leaning Democratic.
Key Candidates and Background
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.)
Gluesenkamp Perez, serving her second term, has positioned herself as a moderate Democrat in a district that narrowly favors Republicans. She defeated far-right Republican Joe Kent in both 2022 and 2024 before Kent resigned from his role as Trump’s counterterrorism chief.
Her voting record has drawn criticism from progressive Democrats, including support for the SAVE America Act, a voter ID and citizenship-verification bill. She later voted against a related measure, the SAVE Act, in early 2026. Gluesenkamp Perez has also opposed President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and supported military aid to Israel.
State Sen. John Braun (R-Wash.)
Braun, a Navy veteran and owner of an emergency vehicle manufacturing plant, has served in the Washington State Senate since 2012. He received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who described Gluesenkamp Perez as a “true radical left extremist.”
Unlike Kent, Braun is considered a mainstream Republican and has distanced himself from Trump’s claims about the 2020 election, affirming that President Biden won. Braun has also criticized Trump’s tariffs, stating they can be “very harmful” to manufacturing.
Progressive Challenger Brent Hennrich
Hennrich, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, ran on policies including Medicare for All and higher taxes on the wealthy. His campaign highlighted Gluesenkamp Perez’s votes with Republicans, arguing she had strayed from Democratic priorities.
Election Dynamics and Implications
Washington’s Top Two Primary system allows all candidates, regardless of party, to compete on a single ballot. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.
The district, which spans from the Pacific Ocean to Mount Adams, has historically leaned Republican but has elected Democrats in recent cycles. The race is one of 13 districts that voted for Trump in 2024 while electing a Democrat to the House.
Gluesenkamp Perez’s ability to win over swing voters in rural areas has made her a target for both progressive challengers and Republicans. Braun’s victory in the primary positions him as a strong general election opponent, with Trump’s endorsement potentially boosting his appeal in the district.
Analysts note that the race will be a battleground for control of the House, with both parties closely monitoring the outcome.