A district that decides Congress

Washington's 3rd Congressional District is one of the country's most competitive seats. Democrats need incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to hold it for a House majority. Republicans need challenger John Braun to win to keep power.

A district that defies prediction

The 3rd District spans urban, industrial and rural communities with inland and coastal areas. President Trump won it three times, but Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez flipped it blue in two thousand twenty-two.

Braun on earning votes

Republican nominee John Braun, a state senator and small business owner, told NPR the district requires candidates to earn support. Most districts are predictable, but the third is not, he said.

“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.”

Both face headwinds

Gluesenkamp Perez faces anti-incumbency in an election cycle experiencing that wave. Braun, Trump-endorsed, faces midterm backlash against the party in power with an unpopular president.

Moderates with different bases

Both candidates own small businesses, live in rural towns and centre blue collar work and small business support. They diverge on partisan issues like abortion, where partisan politics don't land well.

A history of fierce races

The district has long been one of Congress's most competitive. Former Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler often faced fierce races. She was ousted in the two thousand twenty-two primary after voting for Trump's impeachment.

Longview mayor on authenticity

Longview Mayor Erik Halvorson told NPR that voters don't rely on partisan labels. Trump can win the city, but so can Gluesenkamp Perez on the same ballot. Authenticity matters more than polish.

“I think loyalty matters, especially for an incumbent. I think that polished candidates are not a necessary requirement for Longview and Cowlitz County. I think you just have to be authentic.”

Longview's timber past

Longview was founded to house timber mill employees. As the natural resource economy changed and logging shrank, mills closed and jobs vanished. Mayor Halvorson said tariffs have hit local industry hard.

Braun's tariff critique

John Braun owns Braun Northwest Inc., an emergency vehicle manufacturer. Tariffs have raised material costs, which he passes to customers, mostly American cities and municipalities. He breaks with Trump on tariff 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.”

Vancouver's transformation

Vancouver, the district's most populated city, has invested heavily in development. Historic buildings became multiuse spaces, the downtown became walkable and a waterfront with luxury apartments and restaurants emerged.

Vancouver's affordability crisis

Resident Gretchen Hoyt worries Vancouver has become unaffordable like Portland. Houses cost over seven hundred thousand dollars for properties she says aren't worth that. It used to be a reprieve from high Portland prices.

“It's so hard to buy a house here right now. It's like everything .. is over $700,000 and for things that are just aren't worth that.”

Clark County turns blue

Clark County, where Vancouver is located, has slowly gotten bluer since two thousand eight. Vancouver itself has shifted toward the progressive side. This threatens Gluesenkamp Perez, who consistently won Clark County.

Votes that angered progressives

Gluesenkamp Perez voted for the Don't Say Trans Bill requiring parental consent for name or gender changes in schools.She also voted for the SAVE Act, a Republican voter I.D.bill.Both votes ruffled Clark County Democrats.

Gluesenkamp Perez defends SAVE Act

In an April statement, Gluesenkamp Perez said she does not support noncitizens voting. Voting in elections is a sacred right belonging only to American citizens, and her SAVE Act vote reflects that principle.

“I do not support noncitizens voting in American elections, and that's common sense to folks in Southwest Washington.”

Primary challenge exposes vulnerability

Progressive Democrats in Vancouver put up a primary challenger to Gluesenkamp Perez's left. Though she won one of the top two seats in Washington's open primary, it exposed her vulnerability among the district's Democratic base.

Nisbet's regulatory burden

Kathleen Nisbet owns Goose Point Oysters in Bay Center, a town of about two hundred people. She pays ten different regulatory agencies and spends around two hundred thousand dollars a year on agency fees.

Trade war hits shellfish farms

Nisbet has lost over fifty percent of international sales due to the current political climate between the United States and Asian countries.

“We've lost over 50% of our international sales due to the current political climate between us and Asian countries.”

Ilwaco pivots to tourism

The coastal town of about one thousand four hundred people has shifted from natural resources to hospitality. Restaurants, motels and shops welcome visitors, many traveling to or from Cape Disappointment State Park.

Ilwaco's seasonal economy

Ilwaco makes most revenue during summer months and relies on federal dollars for infrastructure because the local tax base is weak. Only about half the population lives in the town full time.

Rural voters still influential

Pacific County voted for Trump in two thousand twenty-four but also elected Gluesenkamp Perez. She narrowly won the county in two thousand twenty-two. Rural candidates must understand local issues and be relatable.

“We have historically valued representatives that understand our economy and our struggles. We have a very low tolerance for bulls***.”