Democrats Concerned About Kamala’s Border Crisis

House Republicans are ramping up their efforts to connect Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) to the ongoing border crisis and the surge in fentanyl-related deaths, marking a new strategy to challenge vulnerable Democrats on the immigration front. This tactic represents a broader GOP push to hold Democrats accountable for what they view as the failings of Vice President Kamala Harris’s immigration policies.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has launched its first television ad targeting Perez in Washington’s 3rd District. The ad criticizes Perez for her perceived inaction on the influx of illegal immigration and the resulting fentanyl crisis, which has become a major issue for voters in the 2024 election cycle.

The advertisement includes a clip of Perez stating, “Listen, like, nobody stays awake at night worrying about the southern border.” The NRCC ad then contrasts this statement with the current crisis, asserting, “Perez isn’t worried? That’s where the flood of fentanyl is coming from, and it’s killing our kids. But Perez sleeps easy in D.C. while overdoses here skyrocket.”

The ad further claims, “Marie Gluesenkamp Perez won’t fix this. She’s too busy denying it,” underscoring the GOP’s intent to portray her as disconnected from the pressing issues facing her constituents.

As Perez tries to distance herself from the Biden-Harris administration, House Republicans see an opportunity to capitalize on what they perceive as weaknesses in the administration’s border policies. With her seat labeled a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report, Perez is a key target for Republicans aiming to build on their slim House majority in the upcoming election.

Despite her critical stance on some Democratic policies, including not endorsing President Joe Biden for reelection and opposing Harris’s role as “border czar,” Perez has also aligned with some GOP measures. Recently, she supported the GOP’s voter integrity SAVE Act and voted to condemn the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the border.

In response to the NRCC ad, Perez’s campaign defended her record, highlighting endorsements from Republican and Independent county sheriffs in her district, as well as from WACOPS, the largest police union in Southwest Washington. Her campaign emphasized her efforts to address the border crisis by supporting measures like the Remain in Mexico policy and Title 42, arguing that she has worked across party lines to tackle these pressing issues.