Washington Congressional Debate Turns Personal Between Perez and Braun

Washington's closely watched 3rd Congressional District race took a personal turn as Republican state Sen. John Braun confronted Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez during a heated WA-03 debate hosted by KATU in Portland, Oregon. The two candidates clashed over a controversial campaign advertisement referencing a fatal workplace accident at Braun Northwest, the Chehalis-based emergency vehicle company operated by Braun. The advertisement features Colton Keller, whose father died in an August 2024 workplace accident. Keller, a former Braun Northwest employee, appears in an advertisement criticizing Braun's response to the tragedy. During the congressional debate, Gluesenkamp Perez questioned Braun's treatment of the employee's family and suggested the incident raised concerns about his approach to workplace safety and accountability. Braun strongly rejected the characterization. "This is a new low for Marie," Braun said during the debate, disputing the suggestion that he failed to reach out to the family. Braun said he spoke with Keller twice in person on the day of the accident, explaining that Keller was also an employee at Braun Northwest at the time. "You owe that family an apology," Braun told Gluesenkamp Perez. According to Braun, he and his family continued offering support following the workplace tragedy. The confrontation came during a broader discussion about workplace safety following the deadly Nippon Dynawave industrial accident in Longview, Washington. The debate also covered affordability, tariffs, data centers and other issues affecting southwest Washington. Washington's 3rd Congressional District remains a closely watched race as Republicans seek to flip the seat currently held by Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. The Center Square's Carleen Johnson breaks down the confrontation, the controversial campaign advertisement and what the exchange could mean for the WA-03 congressional race. IN THIS REPORT: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and John Braun clash in the WA-03 debate Braun responds to a controversial campaign attack ad Fatal workplace accident at Braun Northwest in Chehalis Colton Keller's appearance in the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign advertisement Braun disputes allegations about his treatment of the employee's family Workplace safety and accountability in Washington state The closely watched 2026 Washington 3rd Congressional District election Republican efforts to flip the southwest Washington congressional seat GET WASHINGTON NEWS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE Important decisions in Washington state can be easy to miss. The Center Square delivers concise updates about what happened, why it matters and what it could mean for you. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 to receive Washington news updates approximately twice a week. Subscribe to Washington In Focus Daily for independent reporting on Washington elections, government accountability, public safety, business and taxpayer issues. #WA03 #MarieGluesenkampPerez #JohnBraun #WashingtonElections #WashingtonPolitics #CongressionalDebate #Midterms2026 #TheCenterSquare