House Dem rakes in thousands of dollars from Pelosi despite past criticism

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat from Washington, made headlines during her 2022 campaign when she boldly declared that she would not vote for Rep. Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Despite portraying Pelosi as unrepresentative of American voters, campaign finance reports have revealed that Gluesenkamp Perez accepted at least $31,000 in contributions from Pelosi and her political action committees during her time in Congress.

The decision to reject Pelosi’s leadership while accepting financial support from her has raised eyebrows among constituents in Washington’s third congressional district, which includes Clark County and Vancouver. The $31,000 in contributions represents more than one third of the median household income for residents in the district, prompting questions about Gluesenkamp Perez’s allegiance to her constituents.

In a recent interview with Politico, Gluesenkamp Perez emphasized the need for more “normal people” and individuals from working-class backgrounds to run for Congress. She criticized the Democratic Party for being out of touch with middle-class Americans, echoing sentiments expressed during her campaign against Pelosi.

However, critics have been quick to point out what they see as hypocrisy in Gluesenkamp Perez’s actions. The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC dedicated to maintaining the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, accused her of flip-flopping on her stance towards Pelosi in order to secure political support.

Despite facing backlash from both Republicans and Democrats, Gluesenkamp Perez managed to secure re-election in 2024 after narrowly defeating her Republican challenger. However, her vulnerability as a House Democrat in 2026 is evident, with Republicans eyeing her seat as a potential opportunity to strengthen their majority in the House.

In a recent town hall meeting, Gluesenkamp Perez faced protests from Democratic constituents who expressed disapproval of her support for the SAVE Act on noncitizen voting. The bill, which requires voters to prove their citizenship in-person before registering for federal elections, was widely rejected by Democrats, with 208 House Democrats voting against it.

Despite the backlash, Gluesenkamp Perez defended her decision, stating that she does not support noncitizens voting in American elections and that voting is a sacred right reserved for American citizens. She also faced criticism from Washington state Democrats for voting to censure Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, for his behavior during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress.

As the 2026 elections approach, Gluesenkamp Perez finds herself in a precarious position, caught between conflicting opinions within her own party and facing scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum. The road ahead for the Washington congresswoman remains uncertain as she navigates the complex landscape of American politics.