Overview
- Top-two primary results called Aug. 5 showed incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and state Senate Minority Leader John Braun each with about 39% of the vote, so both advance to the November general election.
- President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Braun and promoted his agenda of tax and regulatory cuts, stronger border security, and support for the military and Second Amendment.
- Gluesenkamp Perez is a two-term centrist Democrat whose votes with Republicans drew a progressive challenge from Brent Heinrich, who received roughly 16% in the primary and campaigned on those votes.
- Cook Political Report rates WA-3 as a toss-up and the race has become a nationally watched battleground that could help determine which party controls the House next year.
- Washington’s top-two system, combined with a split on the left, shaped the matchup; voters should watch fall messaging on spending, veterans and trade because those issues directly affect district jobs and services.