The Democrat who won in Trump country
Today, Explained
Deep Dive
Why did Marie Gluesenkamp Perez win in a traditionally Republican district?
She focused on local values and priorities, emphasizing her connection to the community as a tradesperson and rural resident, which resonated with the working class.
What is Marie Gluesenkamp Perez's background?
She ran an auto repair and machine shop with her husband, lives in unincorporated Skamania County, and has a three-year-old son. The county has a national forest and a population of about 12,000.
How does Marie Gluesenkamp Perez plan to navigate a Republican-majority Congress?
She aims to preemptively address bills by understanding her community's values and priorities, ensuring they are reflected in legislation, and working on amendments afterward.
Why did Marie Gluesenkamp Perez vote against Biden's student debt relief?
Her district held only 3% of federally issued debt, making the policy a regressive tax. She believes in consistent progressive tax strategies, not just when politically convenient.
What is Marie Gluesenkamp Perez's stance on child care regulations?
She introduced a bill to ensure childcare providers can serve fresh fruits and vegetables, addressing over-regulation that limits access to quality care in her county.
How does Marie Gluesenkamp Perez view the role of national office?
She believes her role is to represent her community's unique perspectives and values, contributing to better national policy by ensuring diverse voices are heard from the inception.
What historical examples show the minority party can still achieve significant outcomes?
Democrats in the minority successfully blocked George W. Bush's Social Security privatization and highlighted Trump's attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, raising public awareness and opposition.
How does the current political climate differ from past bipartisanship?
Today's partisanship is more reflexive, with less room for ideological diversity within parties. Historically, there were liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats, which is less common now.
What strategies can the minority party use to influence policy?
They can block majorities by raising public awareness and opposition, as seen with civil rights measures and Trump's healthcare repeal attempts. They can also find bipartisan common ground on specific issues.
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez won in a district that went for Trump by seven points in 2016.
- She emphasized her background in the trades and living in a rural community.
- She voted against Biden's student debt relief, which led to protests and negative online reviews.
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