We proudly endorsed Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez as part of our inaugural Win the Middle slate in 2024 after identifying the district as a potential sleeper race in 2022. After her decisive re-election win, we are thrilled to endorse her again as part of our 2026 Win The Middle slate.
We’ve written extensively on Marie – her notable appearances on national television, some of the many profile pieces written on her, and our endorsement of her last cycle.
In addition to being co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, Marie is an aggressively local and authentic Democrat who has won over voters across the political spectrum. She’s proven time and again that she’ll fight for what’s best for her district, even if it means bucking party leadership.
Why Marie Can Win
Marie can win because she has done it before. Twice.
In 2022, Marie had the upset of the cycle. She flipped Washington’s third congressional district – rated Likely Republican or even Safe Republican by every major rating agency – after far-right Joe Kent defeated incumbent Jaime Herrera Beutler in the Republican primary. Election forecaster Nate Silver gave her just a 2% chance of victory going into election night. Marie stunned the political world with her victory.
In 2024, she did it again, beating Kent in what was deemed a Toss Up district by a wider margin than she had in 2022, even as Donald Trump carried the district by 3 points.
Her success is not an accident. It is a direct result of her cross-partisan appeal that is fueled by her local credibility and consistent district-first politics. Voters like Marie because they know her. A working mom who owns and operates a car repair shop with her husband, Marie focuses on everyday issues that affect voters in her district. Last year, she notably introduced a bill that would make it easier for childcare providers to feed children in their care, and she’s long been a champion of the “Right to Repair,” to make it easier and more cost effective for people to repair their own equipment. She even helped Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) fix her car radio to raise awareness for their bipartisan efforts to protect AM radio.
These are just a few of the reasons why Marie consistently over-performs. According to Split Ticket’s WAR Score, which measures candidate quality by comparing the final results to how the race “should have” gone, Marie had a score of D+5.8 in 2022 and D+6 in 2024 – remarkably, some of the highest scores in the country.
The District
Washington’s third congressional district is located in Southwest Washington, encompassing the southernmost corner of the state along its border with Oregon. It contains six full counties and a portion of Thurston County.
The district is a mix of suburban and rural communities. The majority of the population resides in Clark County located just north of Portland, Oregon and where the county seat Vancouver, Washington is located. The district then expands north, stretching across rural timber and agricultural towns that have historically leaned Republican. And while these communities are more conservative, they respect and value the authenticity and pragmatism that Marie brings to Congress and her constituents.
Just like in past cycles, this race will be one of the most competitive races in the country in 2026. Republicans have made it clear that they believe this seat is winnable for them as they seek to keep and expand their majority in the House. The NRCC has already listed it as a top pick-up opportunity, and outside Republican groups stand ready to pour millions of dollars into this race.
Washington State Senate Minority Leader John Braun is expected to enter the race soon. As she’s proven, Marie will be ready. She’s stood up to the far right and defeated them twice, and she’s prepared to do it again.
“I'm tired of seeing Washington, D.C. inflict its values and priorities on our community.
I want to see our community's values reflected in the policy and agenda of Washington, D.C.”
- Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
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