Washington’s southwest 3rd Congressional District has become the state’s most expensive House race of the 2026 cycle, with combined spending topping $20 million as the November 3 election approaches. The surge reflects the national stakes: control of the U.S. House hangs in the balance, and both parties are investing heavily to secure the seat.
Candidate finances
Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, seeking a third term, has raised $8.8 million and entered October with roughly $640,000 cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Her Republican challenger, state Sen. John Braun, has collected $3.2 million and began the month with $1.1 million available.
Outside spending and Trump‑aligned groups
Beyond the candidates’ own war chests, outside political committees have poured more than $15 million into advertising, mailers, text messages, phone calls and direct voter outreach across Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Skamania and parts of Thurston counties.
Among the most active spenders is a super‑PAC tied to President Donald Trump. No Going Back, a Trump‑aligned political action committee, has contributed roughly $3.9 million to oppose Gluesenkamp Perez and about $500,000 to boost Braun’s campaign. The Congressional Leadership Fund, the Republican House‑focused super‑PAC, has spent $4.8 million on negative ads against the incumbent.
Other Republican‑aligned groups, including the American Action Network ($1 million) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (in partnership with Braun’s campaign, $2.6 million), have also targeted the Democratic incumbent.
Democratic response
Democratic groups are not idle. The House Majority PAC, a super‑PAC dedicated to electing Democrats, has spent $4.3 million defending Gluesenkamp Perez. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign together have allocated $2.6 million to counter Republican ads.
“The level of outside spending in this race is unprecedented,” said Tim Gowen, Gluesenkamp Perez’s campaign manager. “Republican groups, including President Trump’s own super‑PAC, have spent more than $10 million on negative ads—more than double what groups supporting Democrats have spent.”
Why the district matters
The 3rd District leans Republican in presidential elections; President Trump won the district in each of his three campaigns. However, the seat flipped to the Democrats in 2022 when Gluesenkamp Perez, a small‑business owner, defeated Republican Joe Kent, a former Army Special Forces soldier who was backed by Trump. She retained the seat in 2024, again beating Kent despite Trump’s endorsement of Kent.
With Republicans holding a slim 218‑214 majority in the House, both parties view this contest as pivotal. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑Louisiana) is scheduled to appear in Washington on Wednesday to rally with Braun, underscoring the national importance of the race.
Local impact
Voters in the district’s eight counties will hear a flood of television ads in the weeks leading up to Election Day. The heavy spending underscores the high stakes for local communities, as the winner will shape federal representation for the region’s businesses, families and faith‑based organizations.
Both campaigns continue to solicit volunteers and donations as the race tightens. Residents are encouraged to review the candidates’ platforms, attend local events, and consider the long‑term implications of their vote for Washington’s voice in Congress.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
