Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat from Washington, has recently been under scrutiny for her stance on endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president and Harris's performance as the 'border czar.' Gluesenkamp Perez, who is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats facing re-election, has chosen to remain silent on these matters.
Despite being repeatedly asked whether she endorses Harris, Gluesenkamp Perez has not publicly expressed her support. This has raised questions, especially since she is a DNC delegate. Additionally, when questioned about Harris's handling of illegal immigration as the President Biden's 'border czar,' Gluesenkamp Perez chose not to respond.
Sources have indicated that Gluesenkamp Perez is among the few Washington Democrats who have not endorsed Harris. Instead, she has reportedly shown support for Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the vice presidential race.
Her decision to evade questions regarding Harris's performance on the border has drawn criticism, with the NRCC spokesperson Ben Petersen suggesting that her silence reflects a lack of concern for the border crisis and a prioritization of party loyalty over her district's needs.
However, Gluesenkamp Perez did take a notable stance by being one of only six Democrats to vote in the House to condemn the handling of the U.S.' southern border. This vote was seen as a statement of her opinion on the matter, with her campaign spokesperson confirming that she has no intentions of endorsing Kamala Harris.
Representing Washington's 3rd Congressional District, which borders Portland, Oregon, Gluesenkamp Perez's re-election race is considered a 'Democrat toss up' by sources. Her narrow victory in the 2022 race by less than 2 points has put her in a precarious position as she navigates the complexities of party politics and constituent expectations.
