Gluesenkamp Perez, Braun Face Off in Washington 3rd
Democratic incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican state Sen. John Braun are competing for Washington's 3rd Congressional District seat.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is running against Republican Sen. John Braun for Washington's 3rd Congressional District. President Donald Trump endorsed Braun in April, and a recent poll of likely voters shows the race close.
Why it matters
The district has backed Trump in each of his three presidential campaigns since 2016, yet Gluesenkamp Perez has won the seat twice with narrow majorities. The contest will test whether the incumbent can hold a district that leans toward the Republican presidential candidate.
A DHM Research poll of 543 likely voters found Braun at 46% and Gluesenkamp Perez at 44%, with 11% undecided and a 4.2% margin of error. Gluesenkamp Perez won 50.14% of the vote in 2022 and 51.74% in 2024, so the poll suggests a narrower race than her recent results.
The players
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
Democratic incumbent who represents Washington's 3rd Congressional District and previously ran an auto repair shop with her husband.
John Braun
Republican state senator for Washington's 20th legislative district and a U.S. Navy veteran who heads emergency vehicle manufacturer Braun Northwest.
Donald Trump
Current President of the United States who endorsed Braun in April and whose campaigns carried most counties in the district.
The details
Gluesenkamp Perez and her husband previously ran an auto repair shop before she entered Congress. Braun, a U.S. Navy veteran, is president of emergency vehicle manufacturer Braun Northwest and has served in the state Senate's 20th legislative district since 2012. In a debate hosted by KOIN 6, the candidates addressed affordability and the Iran war.
Timeline
2022: Gluesenkamp Perez wins her first term with 50.14% of the vote.
2024: Gluesenkamp Perez wins re-election with 51.74% of the vote.
April 2026: Trump endorses Braun in a Truth Social post.
May 2026: Gluesenkamp Perez is interviewed by KOIN 6's political director.
October 2026: Braun discusses his record in an interview with KOIN 6.
Political Context
Jaime Herrera Beutler, a Republican, held this district before Gluesenkamp Perez won it in 2022. The current race tests whether her 2022 win holds in a district where a majority of counties backed Trump in each of his three presidential campaigns.
Washington voters in the 3rd District will decide who represents them in Congress, which affects federal policy on issues such as affordability and the Iran war. The outcome determines whether the seat stays with the incumbent Democrat or shifts to the Republican challenger.
The takeaway
Narrow margins mean turnout and undecided voters may determine the result, so checking candidates' positions on affordability and foreign policy before the election helps clarify the choice. Voters can compare the candidates' records directly through their debate appearances and public statements.
Further reading
For more on the state's races, see Washington Elections.
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