Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Kristina Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is an American politician currently serving as a U.S. Representative for Washington's 3rd congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she has held this position since 2023 and is recognized for her involvement in various congressional caucuses, including her role as co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition. Gluesenkamp Perez's political career is marked by her focus on local issues, small businesses, and moderate Democratic values.

Early life and career

Kristina Marie Gluesenkamp Perez was born on June 6, 1988, in Harris County, Texas. Her family background is diverse; her father immigrated from Mexico, while her mother’s family has deep roots in Washington state, particularly in the timber industry. This connection to the region is significant, as her maternal lineage includes loggers and a great-great-grandfather who worked as a quarry foreman. Her grandfather was a carpenter in Bellingham, Washington, which further ties her family to the area.

Gluesenkamp Perez's parents met while attending Western Washington University and later moved to Texas, where her father served as a pastor in an evangelical church. Her mother took on the role of a homemaker and home-schooled Gluesenkamp Perez and her siblings during their early years. As the youngest of four children, she was raised in Houston, Texas.

After completing high school, Gluesenkamp Perez pursued higher education at Warren Wilson College before transferring to Reed College in Portland, Oregon. To support her studies, she worked in a café and took on production jobs. In 2012, she graduated with a degree in economics.

During her time at Reed College, Gluesenkamp Perez met her future husband, Dean Gluesenkamp, while managing the Reed Bike Co-op, where she worked as a bicycle mechanic. Following her graduation, the couple opened an automobile repair shop and relocated to rural Skamania County, Washington, where they built their own home.

Gluesenkamp Perez's political ambitions began to take shape in 2016 when she ran for a seat on the Skamania County Board of Commissioners. Although she did not win, she garnered a notable percentage of the vote in both the primary and general elections. In 2018, she attempted another run for the Skamania County Public Utility District commissioner but was again unsuccessful. That same year, she began her service on the Underwood Conservation District board and later became a member of the Washington State Democratic Party executive committee from 2020 to 2022.

House tenure

In 2022, Gluesenkamp Perez launched her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent Washington's 3rd congressional district. She participated in Washington's nonpartisan blanket primary, where candidates from all parties appear on the same ballot. Gluesenkamp Perez finished first in the primary, receiving 31% of the vote, while Republican candidate Joe Kent secured the second spot, having narrowly defeated the incumbent Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler. The general election was characterized by varying assessments of competitiveness, with some analysts rating it as leaning Republican.

Despite predictions that favored her opponent, Gluesenkamp Perez achieved a narrow victory in the general election, which was widely regarded as a significant political upset. Following a recount, Kent conceded the election in December 2022. Her election was noted for its unexpected nature, drawing national attention and being described as a reflection of broader midterm election dynamics.

In 2024, Gluesenkamp Perez faced Joe Kent again in a rematch and successfully retained her seat, winning with a majority of the vote. Her tenure in the House has been marked by active participation in various committees and caucuses.

Legislative focus and committees

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gluesenkamp Perez has been involved in several key committees. She currently serves on the Committee on Appropriations, where she is a member of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, as well as the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government. In the past, she has also served on the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Small Business, where she held the position of Ranking Member on a subcommittee focused on rural development and supply chains.

Gluesenkamp Perez is a co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats, and is a member of several other caucuses, including the Congressional Equality Caucus, the Problem Solvers Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. Her involvement in these groups reflects her commitment to bipartisan cooperation and addressing a range of issues that affect her constituents and the nation as a whole.

In terms of her legislative priorities, Gluesenkamp Perez has positioned herself as a moderate Democrat, advocating for both abortion rights and Second Amendment rights. She emphasizes the importance of small businesses, job training, and local industries, particularly the timber sector, in her policy discussions. Her political stance has drawn both support and criticism, particularly from pro-choice activists and student debt advocates.

Gluesenkamp Perez has also engaged in foreign policy matters, co-sponsoring significant legislation aimed at providing military support to allies such as Ukraine and Israel. Her statements on international issues have demonstrated her awareness of the complexities involved in U.S. foreign policy.

Overall, Kristina Marie Gluesenkamp Perez's career reflects a blend of local engagement and national legislative activity, characterized by her moderate Democratic values and commitment to her constituents in Washington's 3rd congressional district. As she continues her service in the U.S. House of Representatives, her actions and decisions will likely shape her political legacy and impact the communities she represents.