Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

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Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez
Official portrait, 2023
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Washington's 3rd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byJaime Herrera Beutler
Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition
Assumed office
May 24, 2023
Preceded byJim Costa
Personal details
Born
Kristina Marie Pérez

(1988-06-04) June 4, 1988 (age 35)
Harris County, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseDean Gluesenkamp
Children1
EducationReed College (BA)
WebsiteHouse website

Kristina Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (/ˈɡlzənkæmp/; born June 4, 1988), also known by her initials MGP, is an American politician and businesswoman. A member of the Democratic Party, she has been the U.S. representative for Washington's 3rd congressional district since 2023.

Early life and career[edit]

Gluesenkamp Perez was born on June 4, 1988.[1] Her father immigrated from Mexico.[2] She graduated from Reed College in 2012 with a degree in economics.[3][2] She and her husband own an automobile repair shop in Portland, Oregon.[4]

In 2016, Gluesenkamp Perez lost a race for Skamania County Commissioner.[5] She received 32.79% of the vote in the August 2 primary election, finishing second behind Republican Richard Mahar.[6] In the general election on November 8, she lost to Mahar with 46.3% of the vote.[7]

In 2018, Gluesenkamp Perez lost a race for Skamania County Public Utility District Commissioner.[8]

Gluesenkamp Perez served on the Washington State Democratic Party executive committee 2020-2022.[9][10] Prior to her election to Congress, she served as a member of the Underwood Soil and Water District Conservation board of supervisors.

In the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Gluesenkamp Perez supported Bernie Sanders.[11]

U.S. House of Representatives[edit]

Elections[edit]

2022[edit]

Campaign logo

Gluesenkamp Perez advanced from a nonpartisan blanket primary, which was implemented in Washington state starting in the 2008 election.[9] In this format, all candidates of all parties are listed on the same primary ballot, and the two who get the most votes advance to the general election. In the primary, she finished first out of all candidates with 31.0% of the vote.[12] Republican Joe Kent finished in second place and also advanced to the general election, beating the incumbent representative, Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler, by .5%. Republican Heidi St. John finished fourth, with 16.0% of the vote. The other Democrat in the race, Davy Ray, received 2.2%. In the lead-up to the primary, Democrat Brent Hennrich, who had led in two early polls by the Trafalgar Group, withdrew from the race and endorsed Gluesenkamp Perez.[13]

The general election's rating varied from "Lean R", according to The Cook Political Report, to "Solid R" in FiveThirtyEight's House of Representatives forecast.[14][15] FiveThirtyEight estimated that Gluesenkamp Perez had a 2% chance of winning the general election over Kent, and was expected to receive 43.6% of the popular vote. She led in one of two polls and was trailing in the other, but both were within the margin of error.[16] Her subsequent victory received widespread national attention, with The Seattle Times calling it "the most stunning political upset in the country this year,"[2] and as "a microcosm of the midterms".[17][18] Kent conceded on December 21, following a recount.[19][20]

Committee assignments[edit]

Gluesenkamp Perez outside the United States Capitol on the day of her inauguration

Caucus memberships[edit]

Political positions[edit]

Gluesenkamp Perez campaigned as a moderate Democrat who was a "supporter of both abortion rights and Second Amendment rights". She "emphasized support for small businesses, job training and local concerns, like the timber industry" and opposition to political extremism.[2][28]

Following her election, she has taken a role as a co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition and has joined the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus along with the moderate New Democrat Coalition. Her bipartisan record has been criticized by abortion activists and student debt activists, and her business has received negative online reviews in protest.[26]

Abortion rights[edit]

Gluesenkamp Perez supports abortion rights, citing her personal experience having an abortion after a miscarriage.[5][29][30] KGW described her support for abortion rights as "a tenet of her campaign".[5] She voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would criminalize healthcare providers in failing to provide care for an infant born alive after an abortion attempt.[31]

Inflation[edit]

Gluesenkamp Perez blames inflation on companies outsourcing jobs, and states that is the top issue affecting voters in her district.[5] She has called for both increased usage of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in the short term and a long-term increase in the number of jobs available in green industries.[32]

Infrastructure[edit]

She has touted her role in securing $600 million in federal funding to rebuild the Route I-5 bridge.[33]

Elections[edit]

Gluesenkamp Perez believes that vote by mail is safe and has refuted unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud among mail-in ballots.[5] She has condemned the January 6 United States Capitol attack and criticized Kent for not doing so.[34]

Gun control[edit]

Gluesenkamp Perez opposes an outright ban on assault weapons, but has expressed interest in raising the age required to purchase an assault weapon from 18 to 21.[4][5] She has also called for increased hiring of police to handle a surge in property crime.[32]

Right-to-repair[edit]

In May 2023, Gluesenkamp Perez helped introduce the REPAIR Act and the SMART Act, two bipartisan right-to-repair bills that seek to require auto manufacturers to share parts, tools, and data needed for repairs at lower costs.[35]

Student debt[edit]

Gluesenkamp Perez voted against a student debt relief plan proposed by the White House in 2023. She was one of only two House Democrats to do so, along with Jared Golden of Maine.[36] At the time, she said, "expansions of student debt forgiveness need to be matched dollar-for-dollar with investments in career [and] technical education. I can't support the first without the other. The severe shortage of trades workers needs to be seen [and] treated as a national priority."[37][38]

National Defense Authorization Act[edit]

On July 14, 2023, Gluesenkamp Perez voted to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act that included provisions to bar Pentagon spending for abortion and transgender surgeries.[39] She defended her vote by saying the Senate would "clean up" the bill.[40]

Personal life[edit]

Gluesenkamp Perez with her son on the House floor

Gluesenkamp Perez lives near Stevenson, Washington, in Skamania County.[9] She is married to Dean Gluesenkamp, and has one child.[1][5] Gluesenkamp Perez is a nondenominational Christian.[41][42]

Gluesenkamp Perez failed for more than six months to pay 2022 property taxes on her Portland auto repair shop. She then paid them after being contacted about it by The Oregonian.[43]

Electoral history[edit]

2022 Washington's 3rd congressional district blanket primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marie Gluesenkamp Perez 68,190 31.0
Republican Joe Kent 50,097 22.8
Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler (incumbent) 49,001 22.3
Republican Heidi St. John 35,219 16.0
Republican Vicki Kraft 7,033 3.2
Democratic Davy Ray 4,870 2.2
Independent Chris Byrd 3,817 1.7
Republican Leslie French 1,100 0.5
American Solidarity Oliver Black 456 0.2
Write-in 142 0.1
Total votes 219,925 100.0
2022 Washington's 3rd congressional district election[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marie Gluesenkamp Perez 160,314 50.14
Republican Joe Kent 157,685 49.31
Write-in 1,760 0.55
Total votes 319,759 100.0

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Washington New Members 2023". The Hill. November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Brunner, Jim; Gutman, David (November 12, 2022). "Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez defeats Republican Joe Kent in WA House race". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  3. ^ "Alumni Win Key Elections in 2022". Reed Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Two races in Washington could tip scales in Congress". The Columbian. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "After toppling Herrera-Beutler, Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez says she's 'not here to be a party shill'". KGW. Retrieved November 12, 2022. 'You know I had a miscarriage in 2020, the last thing I want is state troopers showing up on my porch the next morning to make me prove what really happened; this is not the America we believe in.'
  6. ^ "Skamania County August 2, 2016 Primary". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "Skamania County November 8, 2016 General Election". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  8. ^ "Skamania County November 6, 2018 General Election". results.vote.wa.gov.
  9. ^ a b c "Marie Gluesenkamp Perez". The Columbian. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  10. ^ Ellenbecker, Lauren (March 19, 2022). "3rd Congressional candidate Perez: Those in Congress 'don't work for us'". The Columbian. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  11. ^ Brunner, Jim (August 16, 2022). "In race for Herrera Beutler's seat, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez focuses on Democratic and Republican voters". The Seattle Times.
  12. ^ a b "August 2, 2022 Primary Results – Congressional District 3 – U.S. Representative". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  13. ^ Brunner, Jim; Gutman, David (May 20, 2022). "Sen. Murray draws 17 challengers in WA state primary as filing deadline closes". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  14. ^ "2022 House Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  15. ^ Silver, Nate (June 30, 2022). "2022 House Forecast". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  16. ^ Silver, Nate (June 30, 2022). "2022 House Forecast - Washington's 3rd District". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "How did Marie Gluesenkamp Perez pull off the upset of the year in Southwest WA?". The Seattle Times. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  18. ^ Goldberg, Michelle (November 15, 2022). "Opinion | Four Stark Lessons From a Democratic Upset". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  19. ^ "Facing defeat, Joe Kent campaign looks to 'cure' challenged ballots". opb. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  20. ^ Ellenbecker, Lauren (December 21, 2022). "Kent concedes 3rd district race to Marie Gluesenkamp Perez". The Columbian.
  21. ^ "Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  22. ^ "Forestry Subcommittee". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  23. ^ "Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  24. ^ "Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains Subcommittee". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  25. ^ Ferris, Sarah (May 24, 2023). "The Blue Dog Coalition is adding a new member to their centrist ranks, alongside a fresh "fishing states" leadership group" – via POLITICO.
  26. ^ a b Sammon, Alex (August 13, 2023). "With Democrats Like Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez, Who Needs Republicans?". Slate.
  27. ^ "Members | Congressional Hispanic Caucus". chc.house.gov. April 21, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  28. ^ "Marie Gluesenkamp Perez flips SW Washington congressional district for Democrats". OPB. November 12, 2022.
  29. ^ Lauren Ellenbecker (October 7, 2022). "3rd District candidates Kent, Perez split on abortion rights". The Columbian. In 2020, Perez had a miscarriage that required her to receive an abortion, and without it, she could have died.
  30. ^ "Issues". Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for Congress. In February of 2020 I miscarried at 16 weeks, and was told my life was at risk without an immediate abortion, or dilation and evacuation.
  31. ^ "Washington, D.C., roll call report". The Columbian. January 15, 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Washington's 3rd Congressional District debate: Republican Joe Kent and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez". OPB. October 27, 2022.
  33. ^ "Aging Bridge Is a Flashpoint in Competitive Washington State House Race". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  34. ^ "Questions for candidates: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  35. ^ Donovan-Smith, Orion (May 12, 2023). "Backed by former auto shop owner, 'right-to-repair' bills pick up steam in Congress, statehouses | The Spokesman-Review". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  36. ^ Stratford, Michael (May 24, 2023). "House votes to repeal Biden's student debt relief plan | Politico". Politico. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  37. ^ Karni, Annie (July 22, 2023). "For One Democrat, the Price of Bucking Her Party Is a Flood of Bad Reviews". The New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  38. ^ @RepMGP (May 25, 2023). "Expansions of student debt forgiveness need to be matched dollar-for-dollar with investments in career & technical education. I can't support the first without the other. The severe shortage of trades workers needs to be seen & treated as a national priority. It's about respect" (Tweet). Retrieved September 5, 2023 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ Zoë Richards; Rebecca Kaplan; Rebecca Shabad (July 15, 2023). "House passes defense bill after GOP adopts abortion and transgender surgery amendments". www.nbcnews.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  40. ^ "Aging Bridge Is a Flashpoint in Competitive Washington State House Race". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  41. ^ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2023. p. 11.
  42. ^ "Aging Bridge Is a Flashpoint in Competitive Washington State House Race". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  43. ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, Shane Dixon Kavanaugh | The (May 31, 2023). "Washington Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez failed to pay property taxes on her NE Portland auto repair shop". oregonlive.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ "November 8, 2022 General Election Results - CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 3". Secretary of State of Washington. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.

External links[edit]

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Washington's 3rd congressional district

2023–present
Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded byas Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration and Communications Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Communications
2023–present
Served alongside: Jared Golden (Administration), Mary Peltola (Policy)
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
381st
Succeeded by