Navigating Trump’s Legacy: A Democrat’s Approach in a Red District
American politics once commonly saw congressional representatives belonging to a different party than the presidential candidate their districts supported. That divergence has dwindled over recent decades. Today, only a few Democrats hold seats in districts that voted for Donald Trump, including Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington’s Third Congressional District.
Gluesenkamp Perez stands apart from many in her party with an economic philosophy rooted in valuing production, craftsmanship, and local industry. Her views emphasize respect for skilled labor and critique the economy’s shift toward consumerism at the expense of producers.
This perspective gains added significance given that some policies of the Trump administration echoed similar concerns about overreliance on cheap imports and the need to rebuild domestic manufacturing. Yet, for many Democrats, opposing Trump’s tariffs is politically straightforward given his declining popularity. For Gluesenkamp Perez, whose voters often supported Trump, the political landscape is more complex.
In her district, recent town halls have been notably contentious, reflecting the challenges of reconciling national political debates with local realities. Gluesenkamp Perez shared her thoughts on how she interprets the economic arguments from both sides and how they influence her approach.
Discussing tariffs, she describes them as a tool that can be wielded constructively or destructively, depending on implementation. Local constituents, often unfamiliar with broader politics, possess detailed understanding of issues like Canadian lumber dumping, which has contributed to the loss of mills in the area. They desire domestic manufacturing and self-sufficiency, seeking a balance between consumer convenience and producer pride.
Gluesenkamp Perez critiques trade deals as often benefiting multinational corporations behind closed doors, emphasizing that the manner of policy execution is crucial. She recognizes parallels between her critiques and some Trump administration rhetoric on economic imbalance but notes inconsistencies in policy applications.
She observes a surprising shift in the Democratic Party’s stance toward defending stock markets and financial indices, which she finds at odds with the broader question of economic agency — the ability for individuals to own homes, businesses, and have economic self-determination.
Her focus remains on what communities truly want: durable goods, meaningful jobs, and the capacity to produce rather than merely consume. She highlights how mass-produced, short-lived products undermine long-term value and community wealth, contrasting this with her own experience using appliances decades old that have circulated within her community, creating lasting economic benefit.
Gluesenkamp Perez advocates for transparency in product durability, proposing legislation that would require manufacturers to disclose appliance lifespan and maintenance costs, empowering consumers to make informed choices.
She frames these economic debates as both policy and moral questions. True environmentalism, she argues, transcends consumer choices and requires a fundamental relationship with the natural world, where living sustainably involves stewardship, skill development, and conscious allocation of time.
Living in rural Skamania County, she experiences firsthand the environmental impact of waste, rejecting single-use products due to the burden of disposal. This direct connection to environmental consequences shapes her approach to policy and trade-offs.
Acknowledging the benefits of modern conveniences such as urban trash services, she distinguishes between 'green' environmentalism—deep harmony with nature—and 'gray' environmentalism, which might appear less natural but offers efficiencies, such as high-rise living reducing heating emissions.
Gluesenkamp Perez emphasizes the importance of localism in politics, a revival of the Blue Dog Democrats’ tradition. She stresses loyalty to community needs rather than agendas shaped by distant think tanks or political operatives, advocating for policies grounded in the urgent realities of her district.
She critiques the existing political hierarchy that often undervalues manual labor and skilled trades, calling for a moral realignment that respects all forms of intelligence and work equally.
Addressing the apparent overlap and contradictions between her economic philosophy and some Trump administration policies, she acknowledges that while there are shared concerns, the approaches and goals differ significantly. She argues for constructive policies that harness the potential benefits of tariffs and manufacturing revival rather than simply opposing them.
On trade and tariffs, she supports reform measures like permitting streamlining and antitrust enforcement, alongside investments in education such as reinstating shop classes, to rebuild domestic manufacturing with dignity and sustainability.
Discussing energy and environmental incentives, she critiques regressive tax credits for electric vehicles, emphasizing the need for pragmatic stewardship of existing resources and prioritizing stationary electrification infrastructure, which yields greater overall environmental benefits.
Reflecting on her district’s diverse coalition of voters—both urban and rural, Democrats and Trump supporters—Gluesenkamp Perez stresses the importance of direct engagement through town halls, valuing input from constituents who invest their own time to participate over those paid to engage politically.
She acknowledges the frustration of voters who feel unheard, emphasizing the need for a positive policy agenda that addresses economic agency and self-determination, rather than merely negating opposing views.
Addressing concerns about judicial fairness and political polarization, she underscores the shared desire among constituents for a legal system that works equitably, recognizing that dismissing certain worries outright risks alienating potential allies.
On contentious topics such as immigration enforcement and human trafficking, Gluesenkamp Perez advocates for due process as a foundational principle that protects both security and civil rights, emphasizing that fear and justice can coexist in policy.
She highlights the fentanyl crisis as a pressing issue in her community, advocating for coordinated law enforcement efforts, improved communication infrastructure, and expanded access to treatment options, including emerging therapies that offer promise in addiction recovery.
Finally, she recommends several books reflecting her values: “The Wheelwright’s Shop” by George Sturt, which explores craftsmanship; “Experiences in Visual Thinking” by Robert H. McKim, encouraging creative problem-solving; and children’s poetry anthologies by Jack Prelutsky, celebrating joy in language and learning.
Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s insights offer a nuanced perspective on bridging divides in today’s politics, emphasizing localism, respect for labor, and pragmatic policy solutions.
