SEATTLE, WA – Washington’s most vulnerable Democrat in the U.S. House had a strong fundraising quarter in anticipation of a tough 2026 reelection.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania County, who is bracing for a pitched fight to keep her seat representing southwest Washington, raised $904,000 in the most recent reporting period.
Meanwhile, Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, arguably the state’s most at-risk Republican House member, is stockpiling cash ahead of another tussle with MAGA Republican Jerrod Sessler in central Washington.
Here is a round-up of money raised by Washington’s incumbent House members and opponents between April 1 and June 30 as reported to the Federal Election Commission.
Washington’s battleground district
Gluesenkamp Perez was first elected in 2022, capturing the 3rd Congressional District seat that Republicans had held for a dozen years. She spent nearly $12 million to win reelection in 2024.
It is not going to be easier in 2026. The National Republican Congressional Committee is already criticizing her with a drumbeat of press releases and ads, as at least two recognized Republicans have looked at entering the race.
Two people have stepped up to challenge her – Republican Antony Barran and Democrat Brent William Hennrich. Barran raised $9,300 and Hennrich brought in $7,400, according to their campaign disclosures.
With her haul of a little over $900,000, Gluesenkamp Perez had $1.1 million on hand June 30, according to her FEC filings.
Tim Gowen, campaign manager for Gluesenkamp Perez, said in an email last week the congresswoman “is ready to put her record of fighting our fentanyl crisis and leveling the playing field for everyday people up against anyone.”
A third round
In November, Newhouse secured a sixth term representing the 4th District by defeating Jerrod Sessler, a candidate backed by Donald Trump.
Newhouse has been scorned by MAGA Republicans since he voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. But the congressman has defended his seat twice since that vote.
He raised $261,000 this last cycle and, after expenses, had $339,000 on hand.
Sessler, who also ran in 2022, is the lone challenger so far for 2026. The Prosser resident raised nearly $60,000 in the quarter and close to $184,000 for the election cycle. However, he’s spent most of it and had a little under $8,300 on hand June 30.
In a statement, Sessler expressed confidence, saying, “I’ve got President Trump’s support and all those who want to see Washington state return to sanity.”
A campaign spokesman for Newhouse said the congressman is delivering “positive results” and that if Sessler runs again, “the result won’t be any different than the last two times.”
Packed House
Rep. Adam Smith, who is getting challenged from the political left and right in the 9th District, collected $226,000 and had $659,000 banked at the close of the filing period.
Kshama Sawant, the socialist who served a decade on the Seattle City Council, may be his best-known opponent. Sawant formally kicked off her campaign in early June and raised $87,000 by the end of the month.
Melissa Chaudhry, a Democrat who lost to Smith in November, looks to be running again. She reported $107,000 in her campaign account, nearly all of it carried over from her 2024 campaign.
Republicans Mark Greene, who ran unsuccessfully last year, and Janis Clark filed campaign committee paperwork this month.
A rematch?
Republican Rep. Michael Baumgartner received 60.6% of the vote when he beat Democrat Carmela Conroy in November in the 5th District. The two Spokane residents could duel again next year.
The first-term congressman got $228,000 in contributions and ended with $435,000 on June 30, based on federal reports. Conroy had a little more than $73,000 on hand after a quarter in which she raised $68,000.
Ann Marie Danimus, a Spokane Democrat who ran in 2024, looks to be eyeing another bid for the seat as well as she registered her campaign committee in mid-June.
The rest of the pack
Six Democratic House members, most without announced opponents, boosted their totals.
Rep. Suzan DelBene of Medina raised $581,000 and had $1.2 million on hand as she eyes another term in the 1st Congressional District. She also chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, making her a point person in the party’s effort to recapture the House majority in next year’s midterms.
Rep. Rick Larsen of Everett, who first won his 2nd Congressional District in 2000, brought in $331,000 and ended with nearly $415,000 in his campaign account.
Rep. Emily Randall of Bremerton, in her first term serving the 6th Congressional District, collected $203,000 and closed with $128,000 banked as she eyes a reelection run.
In the 7th District, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Seattle hauled in an impressive $609,000 and, after expenses, finished this cycle with $2.2 million on hand. The former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus has been an unyielding opposition voice to the Trump administration.
In the neighboring 8th District, Rep. Kim Schrier of Sammamish reported nearly $466,000 raised and $2.5 million in her coffers. Earlier this month, Republican Bob Hagglund of Granite Falls filed as a candidate with the Federal Election Commission. Hagglund ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2024.
Rep. Marilyn Strickland of Tacoma, looking to retain her seat in the 10th District, reported $295,000 in contributions and had banked $685,000 through June 30. No opponents had signed up a campaign committee as of Friday.
This story first appeared on Washington State Standard.
