Seattle University Conversations: U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

She pulled off a stunning upset and flipped Washington’s 3rd Congressional District for the Democrats. But U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with her own party. In fact, she hired several staff members that worked for her predecessor, Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler. Gluesenkamp Perez justified the hires by saying, “It’s important to have a staff that is reflective of the district.” It’s a district that’s largely rural, and the new congressperson is quick to remind folks she can relate, saying “I get my water from a well and my internet from a radio tower.” It’s those humble connections that helped the 34-year-old auto shop owner edge out a win last November. In a wide-ranging discussion, she affirmed her support for abortion rights telling hosts Professor Larry Hubbell and Joni Balter, “I don’t want a 20-year-old ‘staffer bro’ telling me when I can get a medical procedure and when I can’t.” As for gun rights, she’s a strong supporter of the Second Amendment but hasn’t ruled out increasing the age of purchasing assault weapons to 21. Still, the issue left her and her husband questioning whether she should run at all, saying “When you run for public office your chances of being shot are pretty high. You know, we’ve gotten threats.”
Presented by Seattle University's Institute of Public Service.
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[@safety_sid]

This woman is too good for congress. It's a damn shame that someone this smart needs to wrestle around in the swamp that is congress to get ANYTHING done. You have support from Alaska, Marie!

[@jonalderson5571]

You have a pretty great rep yourself. Peltola

[@JAIBHIMNEWS24X7]

Thank you for your news so true and wonderful 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@shultsy100]

I watched this the other day and I'm glad you posted it and enjoyed what this new Washington Congresswoman had to say and also her views for the future of our state and beyond. Perez sounds STRONG and confident and I'm certainly impressed! I think our 3rd District has done well.

[@YoosufMuneer]

14:14 That can't be right. $114M over 10 years is a very small amount relative to federal spending

[@naeemjai968]

Corporations made this change.

[@beaubunt2654]

What a fraud

[@pault477]

She has turned on her party.

[@thestorybehindthestory6350]

Her job is to represent her people, not the DNC.

[@pault477]

@@thestorybehindthestory6350 and betray veterans

[@MikP86]

She is doing a good job here for WA 3.