A Rural Democrat Bets on a Moderate Message

While her party plays defense nationally, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez seeks out disaffected Republicans to flip a red-leaning House district.

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Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Handout)

“It’s one of the most important contests of our lives,” David Nierenberg, an investment manager, said of Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. “It is America’s best versus America’s worst—not ‘America First.’”

His remarks, recorded during a fundraiser in southwest Washington, sound like typical campaign fare. But Nierenberg, a major fundraiser for Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, was boosting a Democrat, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, against GOP nominee Joe Kent. The question is whether there are enough independents and disaffected Republicans like him to make a difference. 

Fundraising for a Democrat in Washington’s 3rd District, which Republicans have won since 2008, is a risky bet.

Six-term Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler failed to advance in August’s all-party primary after voting to impeach former President Donald Trump last year. Next month voters will choose between two political novices: Gluesenkamp Perez, an auto shop owner and Democrat, and Joe Kent, a combat veteran. 

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  1. Avatar photo
    Abraham.Gerving

    I’m in this district and just received a mailer from Perez. I’m a business owner with 2 locations in her District. She is out of touch with my concerns. 1) I’m pro-life, and her stance that Abortion shouldn't have “any restrictions” is far too radical. 2) Her support of expensive “renewable” energy is ridiculous when I’m paying above $5 for gas. The argument is won; the more the USA produces fossil fuel energy, the cheaper our gas & heating bills are. 3) Her stance that I shouldn’t be able to purchase health care options in other states is  ridiculous. I should be able to purchase a plan in a different state if I choose.

    Joe Kent has a TON of flaws, but none surpass Marie Perez. She is against my Pro-life, lower gas/energy prices, and healthcare freedom values. That said, my decision on whom I vote for is a no-brainer.

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    1. Vitaly.Furman

      This is probably the best summary of an argument for voting for reprehensible Republicans because Democratic control of the House would be worse. Democrats really need a re-evaluation of their stand on abortion and energy policies. Had a moderate Democrat come out for modest restrictions (say, after 20 weeks with with clearly defined exceptions) she would have won this district. Same for the energy policy: in the long run, expensive gasoline undermines climate change because it makes are all collectively poorer and it does very little to curb usage (people need to drive regardless of price of gas). Electric cars are still very expensive and we don't have infrastructure to properly support them. If we produce more energy at home, we will have more money to devote to the problem of climate change and infrastructure for a less carbonized economy. It blows my mind that our Democratic politicians can be so myopic not to see that.

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  2. PatThomson

    Okay, she talks like a moderate. The money question is, will she vote in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi?

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  3. Steve Stark

    Audrey,
    Thanks for the good summary. I would like to know if you received any indication as to why Kent declined to comment to The Dispatch? I live in district and have decided to vote for Butler already, but would like to understand his reluctance in order to help frame my debates with some of the locals, including kooks like his endorser, Lars Larson.

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    1. PatThomson

      Lars Larson didn't used to be a kook.

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      1. Steve Stark

        I agree, Pat. To be correct, he is still not a kook, as I use that descriptor, probably inappropriately, to categorize him sometimes. What he is is disingenuous and dishonest in his attempts to redefine conservatism in order to, in my opinion, create and spread fear and resentment to support his apparent goal of increasing his tribal following (aka revenue generating audience).

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  4. Avatar photo
    BWG

    Thanks for this story. I’m also concerned about Newhouse against Culp in the WA 4th. Culp’s campaign polls show the race as close, per 538. Really want Newhouse to win, if only to show it can be done.

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      BWG

      Ha! Disregard. Culp got knocked out in the primary, 538 still had an old poll up.

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    Joe Delanis

    Having watched Joe Kent's early election ad, in which he talked about the "watching our government lie about regime-change wars and ship our economy oversees," I'm kind of amused that, in 2022, somebody who articulates such arguments in a campaign ad is running as a far-*right* candidate in the *Republican* party. Because I remember a time when such a statement was a far-left (like, Kucinich/Chomsky left-wing) talking point. And that time wasn't really all that long ago...

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  6. MLMarkus

    I appreciate her sentiment, and don't doubt her sincerity, but given the Democratic penchant to vote as a monolithic bloc when in power, I'm not convinced. The last time the Republicans held both houses, it was widely and disdainfully reported that they lacked the "discipline" to enact sweeping change. I'm pretty sure that just means there were members who wouldn't just rubber stamp the agenda. In a political party, that's a feature, not a bug. Part of the reason I've voted (and probably will again) for reprehensible Republicans is that Build Back Better was radical trash, the filibuster is important, state control of elections is crucial to a federal system, and the Electoral College matters. Less spine on the part of two Democratic senators and all these would be the law of the land. Unrestrained, Lord knows what else The Squad could come up with.

    A Congress where each member represents his or her constituents above party would be a very good thing. That's not the current situation. I'm as angry about the rise of the angry election deniers as anyone, but monolithic Democratic control would be disastrous. Look at what they've done with bare majorities. Their "moderates" are only moderate for about three months before an election.

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    1. Avatar photo
      JohnF

      Reading more about this guy, he's much more than an "election denier." He seems to be a full-on crazy.
      If I were a partisan Democrat, I'm not sure that I'd be happy if the party suddenly had more Ilhan Omars and Rashida Tlaibs. Having one or two of them is bad enough, but if they start multiplying it doesn't take long for things to get worse. Kent seems to be made of the same stuff as Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene, which is not a ringing endorsement to my mind.
      The message to both parties coming out of this election should be: "Find better candidates if you want to be elected." That message doesn't get sent if the parties are rewarded by electing bad people.

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      1. P Satter

        It seems like his politics changed as a result of his anger over the tragic death of his wife (in the military) in the Middle East and the effect of meeting Trump in the midst of his anguish. It actually seems a sad story. I live across the river, but close enough to get the ads and news stories.

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      Abraham.Gerving

      I live in this district and completely agree with you. It sucks having to choose between the two but Perez’ stance on energy, health care, and abortion is too far left for me to support her.

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      Ellison

      In other words, 'I'm as angry about the rise of the angry election deniers as anyone' but I'm still going to vote for them. This view seems to be gaining momentum in comments at TD. I find it disheartening.

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      1. Avatar photo
        Cooke.Esl.Jeff

        Yes!
        I am a long-time supporter of JHB. A fellow GOP friend asked if I was voting for Kent. "No! I don't know how Perez will vote when in office. I do know we can repeal nearly anything the Dems do in 2024 or 2026. But we will NOT be able to un-do the lunacy of a GOP full of Election Deniers. These obdurate, self-seeking politicians are a true danger to our Republic.

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      2. Tigersrock

        Oh stuff it, you are for election purity. If anyone "denied the election of 2020" they are never able to hold office again. You seem to forget all of those Democrats who were more than happy to cry illegitimately about Republican victories in 2016 etc. You only point is that it is different when we do it. Well enjoy that in about a month as things get redder.

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        1. Avatar photo
          Synchronize Your Dogmas (Bill B)

          To your reply below. If you thought Trump was the appropriate response to Hillary or Biden then you need the lecture.

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          1. Tigersrock

            No Trump was not the appropriate response but an understandable one. And if you can't figure out why then I can give you a good lecture.

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          Synchronize Your Dogmas (Bill B)

          2016/2020 was a test of character and your party failed. So it's not surprising that any voter would be reluctant to vote for a candidate that that not only whiffed that test and broke thier oath of office but continued to double-down on it. It's not "purity" to not want to degrade the office, the institution and endanger the Republic by electing candidate so corrupt, weak-willed and cowardly that they placed thier cushy seat in Congress above the welfare of the Republic.

          That Republicans have an advantage in the Electoral College doesn't make Republicans popular - it makes them lucky. But that advantage isn't going to remain over the next few election cycles so prepare to become a little more purple.

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          1. Tigersrock

            2016/2020 were a test of character? I am sorry that the party that nominated Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden should not be preaching to anyone about character, ever. I mean Joe Biden degrades the office everyday because he is mentally unfit to be President but we can't have a discussion about that because, well reasons. I am sorry the last two Dem nominees have both lacked character and integrity but do go on. I love to hear the lectures.

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      Spin

      100%.

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  7. Avatar photo
    Robert Knudson

    Thanks for highlighting this - I find Kemp's story appealing but his views and his discretion appalling. While the zoo is always more fun with another dangerous creature this doesn't hold for Congress and I am glad to see that the Democrat in this race has a chance and seems to be a normal business owner (even if I probably disagree with her extended views on government).

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    BrandonAlleman

    Thanks for these write ups on House races! A little Know Your District summary of geography and cities of each district in these pieces would help add some instant context.

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  9. Jim S

    Reading many of the comments here just befuddles me.

    We live in a crazy partisan era. The complaints about most of the Democrats seem to be that they…vote with the Democrats.

    If the criteria for voting for a Democrat is they abandon their party and vote only like a Republican there is not a lot to say. That is just not the way the world works.

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    1. Kroneborge

      but that's the heart of the problem isn't it. I oppose the vast majority of Democrat policies, and think most of them are a danger to the country. I support most Republican parties, but strongly oppose Trump and election denialism.

      That doesn't leave you with a lot of good choices.

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      1. Jim S

        I do understand, I genuinely feel the same way about Republican policies. Support for many of them completely baffles me.

        I am mainly reacting to folks that say the Democrats are ‘blowing it’ by not adopting more Republican type policies. They aren’t blowing anything. They are representing their voters.

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    Jen

    There’s something very odd to me about what the anti-Trump/NeverTrump crowd is focusing on this election cycle. I’m seeing flashing red warning lights for Democrats everywhere (the latest is House Democrats moving money from an +9 biden district to a plus +13 Biden district in the Portland Oregon suburbs). I just saw a poll now that has Republicans +6 on the generic ballot. 538 now has Republicans taking the lead in their polling averages. Tim Ryan, the Senate candidate in Ohio, is complaining that that Democratic Party isn’t doing enough to help him win. Here, we get an article about a ‘moderate’ Democrat trying to pick off a Republican seat. This might have been an interesting story in 2018 but in 2022? Not so much.

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