A large crowd of approximately 500 gathered outside the Luepke Center in Vancouver for a Thursday town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, signaling deep dissatisfaction among her constituents.
The Skamania Democrat faced criticism for several votes that many attendees believed betrayed their expectations, including her support for the SAVE Act, which aims to require proof of citizenship for federal elections.
David Terry, 78, one of the attendees, expressed the growing frustration, saying, “We’re ready to primary her.” He attributed Perez’s vote on the SAVE Act as the pivotal moment that drove constituents to take action.
While only half the crowd could fit inside the community center, the others stood outside, banging on glass windows and chanting, “Vote her out.” The passionate display underscored the level of discontent facing the congresswoman, with many constituents voicing their anger over her recent decisions.
Throughout the town hall, constituents pressed Perez about her position on various issues, particularly regarding President Donald Trump’s policies and the deportation of undocumented immigrants. Despite her attempts to address their concerns, many of her responses were met with disbelief and roars of disapproval.
“Not hearing the answers that you want doesn’t mean that I’m not answering the question,” she stated, visibly struggling to maintain her composure under the pressure of the crowd.
Among the attendees, there was a strong demand for an explanation regarding her vote on the SAVE Act, which critics argue could disenfranchise voters, particularly married women.
LaDonna Kirkpatrick, chair of the 18th Legislative District Democrats, called the vote “unforgivable,” emphasizing that Perez had campaigned on a platform of protecting women.
In response to audience inquiries, Perez labeled the SAVE Act a “dumpster fire,” indicating her belief that it was unlikely to become law. However, she acknowledged that many American citizens feel that only U.S. citizens should influence elections.
This comment prompted immediate backlash from the crowd, dismissing the premise that noncitizen voting is a significant issue.
A study from the Brennan Center for Justice highlighted that of 23.5 million votes cast in the 2016 general election, only 30 were suspected noncitizen votes—amounting to just 0.0001 percent.
“While it is true that the number is small, it matters that people have confidence in this system,” Perez defended her stance.
When discussing due process related to deportations, Perez condemned the violations that occurred during Trump’s presidency, stating, “It is so important that we are standing up for and protect due process because that is that antidote to being taken over by a dictatorship.”
Her words received mixed reactions in the audience, echoing the tension throughout the event.
She cited the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a former U.S. resident who was deported to El Salvador under contentious circumstances, to emphasize the need for due process.
When questioned further about her feelings on unlawful deportations, she indicated that while anger is a natural response, it may not be the most constructive approach.
“Being angry, being loud feels good. But is it productive?” Perez asked, trying to refocus the discussion.
The tension surrounding Perez peaked with her vote to censure Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, after Green caused a commotion during a presidential address.
When pressed about that vote, Perez clarified, “I want to be able to enforce those rules regardless of who is in the majority.”
She maintained that whether or not decorum was broken was a binary issue unrelated to any political agenda.
Her responses to questions about the Trump administration’s policies, including the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, which has faced criticism for its impact on jobs and government contracts, continued to fuel discontent.
Perez has previously called those tactics “scapegoating civil servants,” emphasizing that the current attempts to increase efficiency are not meeting the needs of the people.
The final topic of discussion revolved around the use of the encrypted messaging service Signal by the Trump administration for sensitive communications.
Perez called for greater accountability for actions that could jeopardize American service members, reiterating a need for transparency in government operations.
As the town hall concluded, it was clear that serious divisions exist between Rep. Perez and many of her constituents, raising questions about her future political viability and the potential for a primary challenge.
image source from：https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/apr/24/angry-crowd-confronts-u-s-rep-marie-gluesenkamp-perez-at-vancouver-town-hall/
