Centrist Dem Rep. Perez Targeted by Progressives in Trump District/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a centrist Democrat who flipped a Trump-leaning Washington district, now faces backlash from progressives. Her bipartisan voting record, including support for controversial GOP measures, has prompted calls for a primary challenge. The outcome may influence Democrats’ 2026 strategy for reclaiming the House.
Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Faces Left-Wing Backlash in Trump District: Quick Looks
- Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez flipped a red seat in 2022, winning in a Trump-friendly Washington district.
- She faces backlash from progressives over bipartisan votes, including support for a GOP voting bill.
- Crowds chanted “Vote her out!” at recent town halls, expressing frustration with her moderate stance.
- A primary challenger, Brent Hennrich, has entered the race, accusing her of compromising Democratic values.
- Gluesenkamp Perez argues her “positive policy agenda” focuses on veterans, job training, and wildfire prevention.
- Critics cite her support for the SAVE Act, which they say could suppress voter turnout.
- Former party leaders and activists are speaking out, urging the Democratic Party not to endorse her.
- Despite criticism, she remains popular in her district, outperforming Trump and Harris in 2024.
- Some allies warn replacing her risks losing the seat, giving Republicans a clearer path to reclaim it.
- The 2026 race may test Democrats’ strategy of appealing to moderates in red and swing districts.
Centrist Dem Rep. Perez Targeted by Progressives in Trump District
Deep Look
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, the Democratic congresswoman representing Washington’s 3rd District, is facing an unexpected political challenge — not from Republicans, but from within her own party. Despite flipping a deeply conservative district in 2022 and holding it again in 2024, progressives are organizing to oust her, frustrated by what they see as repeated compromises with the GOP amid the growing authoritarianism of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Gluesenkamp Perez, 36, made headlines when she defeated MAGA-aligned Republican Joe Kent — twice — in a district that has consistently voted Republican for federal and statewide offices. Her success as an auto shop owner-turned-congresswoman who emphasizes local issues over partisan fights made her a national model for Democrats looking to regain support among working-class voters.
Yet her centrism, once seen as an asset, is now drawing fierce criticism from the left.
“It’s a Really Bad Time to Be a Centrist”
At town halls held in her district, Gluesenkamp Perez was met with shouted questions, chants of “Vote her out,” and demands for a stronger progressive stance. Voters were especially angry about her recent support for:
- A measure to censure Democratic Rep. Al Green, who disrupted Trump’s speech to Congress.
- The SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote — a bill critics call a voter suppression tactic.
Liz Oxford, a progressive activist and stay-at-home mother from Centralia, summed up the sentiment: “She ran as a Democrat, and right now Democrats have to draw a hard line.”
Former Lewis County Democratic Chair Carol Brock echoed those concerns: “I’m all for working across the aisle… But if you don’t believe in it, why did you vote for it?”
Primary Challenge from the Left
Brent Hennrich, a former theater operations manager, has filed to run against Gluesenkamp Perez in the Democratic primary. In his campaign launch, he accused her of compromising too often on issues that matter most.
“With our nation in crisis, Democrats in Congress must do everything in their power to block the radical Trump agenda,” Hennrich wrote, “but our incumbent has been far too willing to compromise.”
Some county Democratic organizations are now debating whether to withhold endorsement of Gluesenkamp Perez unless another viable Democratic option exists.
Tina Podlodowski, former chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, didn’t hold back either, writing on Facebook: “Democrats can and must do better in WA3.”
What Gluesenkamp Perez Stands For
Despite the backlash, Gluesenkamp Perez has remained committed to a pragmatic, local-first legislative style. She’s:
- Secured funding for vocational education and shop classes.
- Advocated for reopening VA clinics closer to rural veterans.
- Supported thinning forests to prevent wildfires and support logging jobs.
- Opposed GOP cuts to NOAA buoys, wildland firefighter support, and hunger relief programs.
“Political polarization has been really destructive,” she told the Associated Press. “If you’re trying to build a popular policy agenda, excluding people isn’t prudent. It’s about building a bigger team.”
She defended her vote on the SAVE Act, calling it symbolic and flawed, but said the idea of protecting elections remains popular in her conservative district. “It’s not about torching political capital on things that won’t become law,” she said.
Republicans Smell Opportunity
While Democrats clash, Republicans are celebrating the infighting as an opportunity to retake the seat. The National Republican Congressional Committee released a statement declaring:
“She’s too weak for the far left, too radical for Washington’s families, she doesn’t belong anywhere.”
Joe Kent, who lost to Gluesenkamp Perez twice, is likely to run again, making the 2026 contest another closely watched bellwether.
Strategic Dilemma for Democrats
Gluesenkamp Perez remains the only Democrat to carry Washington’s 3rd District in over a decade. Not even prominent Democrats like Sens. Patty Murray or Maria Cantwell have won there. Her moderate message has resonated with independents and swing voters — and she’s proven she can win in hostile territory.
Sandeep Kaushik, a consultant on her 2022 campaign, said: “In a district like WA-3, you win or lose by getting independents and moderate Republicans to cross over. Marie has been uniquely successful in doing that.”
But if progressives mount a successful primary challenge, Democrats risk handing the seat back to Republicans, a blow in their effort to flip the House.
Pick Your Battles, Supporters Say
Labor activist Bob Guenther urged Democrats to stay focused on the bigger picture. “We are cutting our nose off to spite our face,” he warned. “We’ve got to be thoughtful. We’ve got to flip the Congress or we’re in trouble.”
Whether Gluesenkamp Perez can weather the storm from the left while still holding her centrist base may help define the Democrats’ broader strategy for 2026 — and possibly beyond.
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