Two Republican challengers in high-profile Southwest Washington races—Brent Hennrich, who is running against U.S. Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez, and Terry Carlson, who is challenging state Sen. Joel McEntire in the Republican primary—are scheduled to appear in Longview on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.

Based on postings circulated via the candidates’ social media, the event is slated for the Civic Circle area at R.A. Long Park in Longview. The host organization is Cascade Forward, a Longview-based political activist group that has identified itself as part of the nationwide Indivisible and “50501” protest networks.

As of publication, Columbia County Current could not independently confirm whether the event has a permit, the exact start time, or whether the candidates will appear in person as advertised. Readers planning to attend should verify details directly through official campaign channels and the host organization’s public pages.

The appearance is locally significant because it brings two ongoing 2026 campaign contests directly into Cowlitz County public space—one for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, and one for a state legislative seat that directly impacts Cowlitz County residents through Olympia policy on taxes, schools, public safety, and basic civil liberties.

It also highlights an organizing reality local voters will likely see more of this cycle: national movement infrastructure and messaging being routed through local groups and local parks, with candidates from multiple levels of government using the same grassroots calendar to reach voters.

Cascade Forward has previously organized and promoted rallies in Longview tied to national days of action. In a prior public write-up, the group said its April 5, 2025 “Hands Off!” rally in Longview (linked to the national 50501 mobilization) drew more than 300 people.

Why it matters in Cowlitz County: For residents who feel boxed in by top-down party politics, events like this are where the real questions get asked—about labor rights, housing costs, civil liberties, and whether elected officials serve people or institutions. Public forums in open spaces like R.A. Long Park can be an important pressure valve for democratic accountability, especially when campaigns increasingly rely on tightly controlled messaging and fundraising pipelines.

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