Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, will participate in two televised debates next month less than a month ahead of the 2026 general election.
The two are locked in a hotly contested battle to represent Washington’s Third Congressional District in Congress.
The Braun campaign announced Friday that the state senator had agreed to participate in the two debates hosted by Seattle area broadcast news channels. The events were first announced by the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign at the end of last month.
The two politicians will first appear in a debate on Wednesday, Oct. 7, hosted by KOIN and again on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in a debate hosted by KATU.
In a statement first announcing the proposed debates at the end of August, Gluesenkamp Perez said she was ready for “tough questions,” including some submitted by constituents.
"I've accepted both invitations, and I'll show up and take the tough questions on the issues that actually affect people's lives here in Southwest Washington," Gluesenkamp Perez said. “I look forward to State Senator Braun accepting the invitations and to a spirited back-and-forth on the issues in October.”
In a Friday statement, Braun sprinkled in a few critiques of his opponent’s legislative record while adding that he had hoped for debates earlier in the election cycle, but nonetheless was grateful for the opportunity to participate in televised debates.
“The contrast between me and my opponent will be on full display for Southwest Washington voters,” Braun said. “This choice comes down to results. My career is about getting things done for working families. My opponent has spent four years in Congress seeking publicity but has passed just one bill into law. Southwest Washington deserves better. Voters can see that I’m ready to deliver.”
The debates will be the first and only televised debates between the two candidates this election cycle.
For times and other details, check your TV listings.
