Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a first-term Democrat, secured her reelection in the closely watched 3rd Congressional District of southwestern Washington state. She emerged victorious in a rematch against Republican Joe Kent, retaining her seat after a hard-fought battle.
In the previous election, Gluesenkamp Perez, a business owner in the auto-repair industry, clinched the seat, which had been held by Republicans for over a decade. Her victory margin of fewer than 3,000 votes out of nearly 320,000 cast made it one of the most closely contested races in the country.
The district, which narrowly supported Trump in 2020, became a focal point for both parties this year. Gluesenkamp Perez's predecessor, Jaime Herrera Beutler, lost in the 2022 primary after voting to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Recently, an arson attack targeted a ballot box in Vancouver, the district's largest city, damaging hundreds of ballots. Voters who utilized this box were advised to contact the county auditor's office for replacement ballots.
During her tenure, Gluesenkamp Perez has pursued a mix of progressive policies and initiatives appealing to Republicans. She has emphasized securing the U.S.-Mexico border, criticized President Biden's approach, and proposed a constitutional amendment mandating balanced budgets for presidents.
On the issue of abortion, Gluesenkamp Perez supports abortion rights and has criticized Kent for his shifting stance following the Supreme Court's decision on Roe v. Wade. Kent, who now advocates for state-level decisions on abortion laws, previously expressed support for a national ban.
Gluesenkamp Perez advocates for climate change mitigation measures while also highlighting her ownership of firearms. She is championing a 'right to repair' bill aimed at enabling affordable equipment repairs outside of manufacturer control.
Meanwhile, Kent, a former Green Beret, has raised concerns about inflation and illegal immigration. He has called for President Biden's impeachment and differs from Gluesenkamp Perez on the issue of the Columbia River bridge replacement.
While Gluesenkamp Perez supports replacing the existing bridge, Kent argues for the construction of a new bridge alongside maintenance of the current one. The disagreement underscores the diverse perspectives within the district on critical infrastructure projects.
