Here on Soundside, we're covering Washington’s most competitive races ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election. 

Historically, one of the tightest in the state is the 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington. This area includes Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Skamania Counties. It also covers a small part of Thurston County.

It’s one of the few swing districts left in the country. Voters there have gone for Trump, but they have also repeatedly chosen a Democrat to represent the district in the House.... over a Republican. 

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez currently holds the seat and is running for re-election. She faces a few challengers, like Brent Hennrich. He's campaigning to her left as a progressive alternative. 

Guest: Brent Hennrich, a progressive challenger running to represent Washington's 3rd Congressional District

Related links:
Minority Democrats in 20th District endorse progressive alternative for Congress | The Daily Chronicle
What’s fueling the far-left surge? ‘Democrats themselves hate the party’ | The Seattle Times
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez challenged from left, right, center | The Columbian

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Here on Soundside, we're covering Washington&rsquo;s most competitive races ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election.&nbsp;
Historically, one of the tightest in the state is the 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington. This area includes Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Skamania Counties. It also covers a small part of Thurston County.
It&rsquo;s one of the few swing districts left in the country. Voters there have gone for Trump, but they have also repeatedly chosen a Democrat to represent the district in the House.... over a Republican.&nbsp;
Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez currently holds the seat and is running for re-election. She faces a few challengers, like Brent Hennrich. He's campaigning to her left as a progressive alternative.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;Brent Hennrich, a progressive challenger running to represent Washington's 3rd Congressional District
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.chronline.com/stories/minority-democrats-in-20th-district-endorse-progressive-alternative-for-congress,404711">Minority Democrats in 20th District endorse progressive alternative for Congress | The Daily Chronicle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/whats-fueling-the-far-left-surge-democrats-themselves-hate-the-party/">What&rsquo;s fueling the far-left surge? &lsquo;Democrats themselves hate the party&rsquo; | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/18/rep-marie-gluesenkamp-perez-challenged-from-left-right-center/">Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez challenged from left, right, center | The Columbian</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Brent Hennrich is running as a progressive challenger to unseat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in the 3rd Congressional District, which is one of the most competitive races in Washington. 