2 days ago
WA State Sen. John Braun to challenge US Rep Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Though the midterm election is about 16 months away, the race to represent Washington's 3rd Congressional District became a bit more clear on Tuesday.
announced he will run for the seat currently held by
Washington's 3rd District, which includes Vancouver and Clark County, is a swing district. , defeating Joe Kent, then beat him again in 2024. Before she won, though, the seat was held by Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler.
Republicans think they can flip the seat back in 2026.
Braun, 58, is from Centralia. He's a Navy veteran and president of a family business that manufactures emergency vehicles. He's represented Washington's 20th legislative district since 2013 and is the current leader of the Republican caucus.
In his campaign announcement, Braun said he looks forward to working with President Trump to 'get America back on the right track.'
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'I think there's a number of things that President Trump has taken actions to undo the harm done during the Biden presidency,' Braun told KOIN 6 News. 'The one that stands out most clearly is his work on immigration, just enforcing laws that have been on the books for years.'
Gluesenkamp Perez, 37, serves on the House Appropriations Committee, is known for supporting working class issues and is co-chair of the moderate 'Blue Dog Democrats' who don't always vote the party line.
Her campaign said Braun caters to special interests. 'It's no surprise the DC swamp has recruited him to run,' her campaign said.
Braun will have to earn the Republican nomination. Another GOP challenger, businessman has already announced he's running for the seat.
Once again, the eyes of the nation will be on Washington's 3rd Congressional District for control of the US House of Representatives.
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