Former college roommates of 37-year-old Marie Grusenkamp Perez, a Democratic representative from Washington, expressed their shock over an incident from their shared past. They revealed that while living together, she allegedly used a blunt kitchen knife to decapitate a chicken during their attempt at urban farming in Portland while attending Reed College.
The group had been looking into humane ways to kill chickens, but Grusenkamp Perez had a rather different approach. She described the moment as one where she lost patience and decided to “grab” the chicken, remarking that, “everyone was being messed up.” According to her account, as the chicken was severed, it “began to gasp,” despite lacking lungs.
Isaac Eager, a former roommate, recalled this chaotic scene as if it were part of a bizarre ritual. He had also openly discussed his poor experiences with urban farming back in 2014.
In a recent podcast featuring a group of Grusenkamp Perez’s former friends, Eager stated that she vividly said, “I’m going to send this chicken,” highlighting her boldness in that surreal farming moment. Sam, another participant in the discussion, recalled watching tutorials on humane chicken slaughter, only to be interrupted by Grusenkamp Perez’s assertive actions.
Eager reflected on the incident as a symbol of Grusenkamp Perez’s character. While he appreciated her courage, he also criticized the inhumane aspects of her actions. He pointed out that it might show a lack of awareness, which he felt was reminiscent of her time at the small liberal arts college.
There were also side discussions about her upbringing, with Eager pointing out perceived contradictions in her narrative about being from Washington. He claimed that her background was different, as she was born in Mexico to a Mexican father and an American mother.
Grusenkamp Perez currently represents Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, having been elected first in 2022 and re-elected in 2024. As an incumbent, she has a significant financial advantage, holding roughly $2.5 million compared to her nearest challenger, Republican Sen. John Brown, who has around $700,000. Neither she nor any of her representatives provided comments for this story.
