Washington state Senate Minority Leader John Braun (R) is set to challenge Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) in November, after advancing from the state's top-two primary, according to preliminary results from Decision Desk HQ. Braun, an Army veteran and owner of Braun Northwest, a vehicle manufacturing company, defeated two Republican rivals to secure the GOP slot in the general election for Washington's 3rd Congressional District.
Braun's nomination marks a strategic shift for Republicans, who had previously backed Joe Kent, a former National Counterterrorism Center director, in the 2024 race against Perez. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report described Braun as a “far less incendiary Republican” compared to Kent, suggesting a more moderate approach aimed at winning over independents in a district that remains highly competitive.
The race is rated a toss-up, with Republicans holding a narrow 2-point advantage in the Cook Partisan Voting Index. Perez's seat is widely seen as one of the GOP's best pickup opportunities this fall, making the contest a focal point for both national parties.
President Trump endorsed Braun in April, echoing his typical endorsements for House candidates. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that Braun “WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” and attacked Perez as a “true Radical Left Extremist with a Track Record that REEKS,” accusing her of failing to represent the values of southwestern Washington. Trump also criticized Perez's vote against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a key legislative priority for the former president.
Braun's campaign has centered on economic issues rather than cultural battles. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Braun has focused on “pocketbook issues like tax cuts and affordability” rather than divisive social topics. He has said his top priorities in Congress would be keeping the federal income tax rate low and boosting energy production to lower costs for consumers.
“Don't just talk about small businesses,” Braun told OPB. “How do you actually make it better for them? You make it by helping keep their costs low.”
While Braun aligns with Trump on many policies, including preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, he diverges on tariffs. Braun noted that tariffs on aluminum have raised costs for his own business, complicating the president's trade agenda. “While I wholeheartedly support the desire to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., I don't think it's as simple as changing the tariff in some cases,” he said.
The general election is expected to be one of the most closely watched House races in the country, with both parties pouring resources into the district. Perez, who has built a reputation as a moderate Democrat, will face a well-funded and organized GOP challenge from Braun. The outcome could hinge on voter sentiment toward the economy and the national political climate.
For more on the latest primary results and what they mean for November, see our live primary night tracker. Also, check out Washington's top-two primary key races for additional context on the state's electoral landscape.
