U.S. House race · November 3, 2026
U.S. Representative, Washington District 3
Represents the district in the U.S. House of Representatives, which writes federal laws, approves the federal budget and taxes, and oversees the executive branch.
2-year term. The district covers southwest Washington, including Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties and part of southern Thurston County, with cities such as Vancouver, Camas, Longview, Kelso, Centralia and Chehalis; Washington did not redraw its congressional map for 2026. Washington uses a top-two primary, and the ballot shows each candidate's stated party preference. In the Aug. 4, 2026 primary, John Braun (Prefers Republican Party) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Prefers Democratic Party) advanced from a nine-candidate field, with Braun finishing first; the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate list includes only these two candidates.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name.
John Braun
State Senator, Washington 20th Legislative District (since 2013), and Senate Republican LeaderJohn Braun is the Washington State Senate Republican leader, a retired Navy submarine officer, and president of a family-owned emergency vehicle manufacturer in Chehalis. His campaign, under the slogan "Run a Tight Ship," centers on cutting federal spending, opposing tax increases, border security, and lowering costs for families.
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
U.S. Representative, Washington District 3 (since 2023)Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is a former auto repair shop co-owner from rural Skamania County who is seeking a third term in the U.S. House. Her campaign centers on jobs in the skilled trades, right-to-repair legislation, lower costs for families, and what she describes as an independent voice for Southwest Washington.
Compare on the issues
Summaries of each candidate's stated positions. See each profile for sources and details.
| Issue | John Braun Republican | Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic |
|---|---|---|
| Energy & Environment | Supports market-based production of hydropower, solar, oil, natural gas and nuclear power, and supports continued sea lion control and habitat funding for salmon recovery. | Says climate change is real and human-caused, and supports affordable energy from traditional and renewable sources and tax rebates for energy-efficiency upgrades for working-class families. |
| Public Safety | Supports shutting down open-air drug markets, local camping bans when shelter is available, prosecuting fentanyl dealers, and funding detox and mental-health beds. | Supports federal resources for state and local police to keep fentanyl and illegal guns off the streets, along with stricter penalties for drug sales and expanded treatment. |
| Abortion | No public position found yet | Supports access to abortion care and says she will do whatever it takes to prevent a national abortion ban. |
| Economy & Jobs | No public position found yet | Supports right-to-repair laws requiring manufacturers to share parts, tools and data, plus apprenticeships, fewer degree requirements for jobs, and allowing Pell Grants for job training. |
| Guns | Says he will defend the Second Amendment and Washington's hunting traditions, and opposes the state's 2023 rifle ban. | No public position found yet |
| Immigration | Supports completing border barriers, hiring more agents, deploying technology, changing asylum rules, and targeting cartel supply chains. | No public position found yet |
| Social Security & Medicare | No public position found yet | Supports strengthening Social Security without raising the retirement age or cutting benefits. |
| Taxes | Opposes the nearly $12 billion in new state taxes passed in 2025 and the state's new 9.9% income tax on high earners, and says he would cut wasteful federal spending. | No public position found yet |