Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez survives Washington’s crowded primary

Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has secured one of the two spots in Washington state’s all-party primary, overcoming criticism from both the left and the right. She now heads into the general election defending a district that Donald Trump won in 2024, making the race one of the most closely watched in the battle for control of the House of Representatives.

The primary field was crowded, including Republican state senator John Braun, who was favored by the GOP establishment, and progressive Democrat Brent Hennrich, who challenged Perez from the left by arguing she had drifted too far from the Democratic Party. Six other candidates also appeared on the ballot. Under Washington’s system, the top two finishers advance regardless of party affiliation.

Perez has built a distinctive political profile since flipping the Republican-held seat in 2022. She has attracted support from moderates, independents, and some Republican voters by emphasizing her background as co-owner of an auto repair shop and by breaking with her party on issues such as immigration, transgender rights, and Trump’s election overhaul bill known as the Save Act.

This approach has increasingly alienated parts of her own party. Progressive critics say she has too often sided with the president and Republicans, while supporters counter that her positions reflect the realities of a district that backed Trump by about three points. They argue that maintaining a foothold in Trump territory is more important than ideological purity, especially since the seat could help Democrats win the House majority. In 2024, Perez ran about seven points ahead of Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.

Democrats hope that Trump’s poor approval ratings, frustration with the economy, and the US-Israel war on Iran will help them take control of Congress, potentially winning both the House and the Senate.