Re: “Gluesenkamp Perez won a Trump WA district. Now she faces leftist heat” (May 17, Local News):
In the past two election cycles, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez defeated a Republican candidate in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District — a district that had not sent a Democrat to the House since 2008. The victory was razor thin, against an opponent who rejects the efficacy of vaccines and embraces the big lie that President Donald Trump won the 2020 election.
For Democrats, Gluesenkamp Perez is an uncomfortable contrast in policy positions. In a deep red district, she champions reproductive rights and aid to Ukraine while simultaneously declaring that she would not support an effort to ban assault rifles. Recently, Gluesenkamp Perez supported the SAVE Act, which requires government identification to vote, sparking calls among Democrats for her ouster — the same Democrats who refuse to understand why the working class has fled their party. Gluesenkamp Perez might explain it this way: “Respect your constituents and fight for their needs.” She understands that a leader doesn’t have to abandon her core principles when supporting unpopular views.
It comes down to this: Are we going to wallow in our purity or win elections? Ask Gluesenkamp Perez; she can tell you what is working for her and the people of the 3rd District.
Daniel Bernhard, Seattle
