In the battle for Congress, Republicans and Democrats are closely watching the Pacific Northwest, particularly the 5th Congressional District in Oregon and the 3rd Congressional District in Washington. Both districts are considered toss-ups, with a blend of Republican and Democratic voters, and feature freshman incumbents who narrowly flipped their seats in the 2022 midterms. Political experts are eager to see which candidates can mobilize more voters, especially moderates and independents, as these races could determine control of the House of Representatives in the next Congress.
In Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, an intense rematch is underway between Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican Joe Kent, who is backed by Donald Trump. The district narrowly went for Trump in 2020, making it a key target for the GOP this year. Gluesenkamp Perez has positioned herself as an independent-minded moderate with a bipartisan voting record, while Kent has focused on issues like inflation and illegal immigration. Both candidates are trying to appeal to voters in the district, which includes farmlands and suburbs of Portland, Oregon.
Gluesenkamp Perez narrowly won the seat two years ago, becoming the first Democrat to hold it in over a decade. Her opponent, Kent, has criticized her for what he sees as bad policies under the Biden administration, including border policies. Both candidates are emphasizing economic issues affecting the region, particularly rural areas. The race is expected to be closely contested, with Gluesenkamp Perez outraising Kent in campaign funds.
Oregon’s 5th Congressional District saw significant boundary changes following the 2020 census. GOP Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer flipped the seat in the 2022 midterms, but now faces a challenge from Democrat Janelle Bynum, with the support of national Democrats. Bynum, who would be Oregon’s first Black member of Congress if elected, has emphasized supporting abortion protections. Chavez-DeRemer, Oregon’s first Latina member of Congress, has highlighted her endorsements from law enforcement groups and her bipartisan work.
Both candidates in the 5th District are appealing to the district’s diverse voter base, with Democrats holding a slight advantage in voter registration. Roughly a third of voters are unaffiliated, making the district a toss-up. Campaign fundraising has favored Chavez-DeRemer, who has raised more than Bynum. Both parties have invested heavily in ads in the Portland media market, reflecting the competitive nature of the race. The outcome of these races in the Pacific Northwest could have a significant impact on the balance of power in the House of Representatives in the next Congress.
