The Democratic representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez secured one of two spots in the state of Washington’s crowded, all-party primary, overcoming criticism from both the left and the right to advance in one of November’s most closely watched US congressional races.

The two-term Democrat – known for bucking her party on key issues – heads into the general election as she seeks to defend a district carried by Donald Trump in 2024 and a district that remains central to the battle for control of the House of Representatives. She will face the Republican state senator John Braun in November.

Gluesenkamp Perez faced competing ideological pressures in a crowded field that included Braun, the GOP establishment’s preferred candidate, and progressive Democrat Brent Hennrich, who mounted a challenge from the left, arguing the US congresswoman had drifted too far from the Democratic party. Six other candidates also appeared on the primary ballot. Under Washington’s primary system, the top two finishers advance regardless of party.

Gluesenkamp Perez entered the race as an incumbent with a distinctive political profile. Since flipping the Republican-held seat in 2022, she has built support among moderates, independents and some Republican voters, often emphasizing her background as the co-owner of an auto repair shop and breaking with her party on high-profile issues such as immigration, transgender rights and Trump’s elections overhaul bill, known as the Save Act.

That approach, however, increasingly alienated parts of her own party. Progressive critics argued she has too often sided with the president and Republicans, while supporters countered that her willingness to stake out opposing views reflected the realities of a district that has consistently backed Trump for president, most recently by about three points. They argue that ideological purity is less important than maintaining a foothold in Trump territory – and a seat that could ultimately help deliver Democrats the House majority in November.

In 2024, Gluesenkamp Perez ran roughly seven points ahead of Kamala Harris, her party’s presidential nominee.

Democrats hope Trump’s poor approval ratings, and frustration with the economy and the US-Israel war on Iran, will help propel them to power in Congress by winning control of the House and possibly even the Senate.