In one of the country's most competitive districts, a Democrat tries to keep her seat

Podcasts & Shows Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows Daily Morning Edition

In this file photo, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) listens at a House Appropriations Committee hearing on July 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. Gluesenkamp Perez is seeking reelection in one of the most competitive seats in the country. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption

The fight for which party will control Congress is zoning in on one competitive district in southwest Washington state.

The 3rd Congressional District is a mix of urban, industrial and rural communities with inland and coastal areas. It prides itself on its political independence. President Trump won this congressional district three times. But Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez flipped the district blue in 2022. Now, the Republican nominee, state Sen. John Braun, believes he has a shot at winning it back.

"A lot of districts these days are pretty predictable in terms of their politics," Braun told NPR during an interview at his small manufacturing business. "The third is not. You got to go earn those votes."

The competitive race has a lot on the line, most notably potential control of the House. Democrats likely need Gluesenkamp Perez to hold this seat if they want the House majority. Republicans need Braun to win if they want to keep power and help shepherd Trump's agenda across the finish line before his presidency ends.

Both are at somewhat of a disadvantage. Gluesenkamp Perez is the incumbent in an election cycle that is experiencing an anti-incumbency wave. For Trump-endorsed Braun, the midterm elections tend to be a referendum against the party in power and Republicans have an unpopular president in charge.

The biggest struggle, though, will be appealing to the various communities throughout the district. Urban Vancouver, the district's most populated city, has different needs than the rural coastal towns along the Pacific Ocean.

"They want you and expect you to show up and represent their interests," Braun said. "It gives you a little bit of freedom to vote more independently. But you also have to show up and explain your vote."

Both Gluesenkamp Perez and Braun are considered moderates within their parties, both own small businesses and both reside in rural towns. Both are centering front-of-mind issues for voters in the area. That includes bolstering blue collar work in manufacturing, natural resources, and supporting small businesses. Where they diverge is on some of the traditional partisan faultline issues such as abortion.

Toss-ups, triage and targets: How to read the wide-open 2026 House map

There is a balancing act each candidate must perform because partisan politics don't land well in Washington's 3rd District.