The Tuesday, Aug. 4, primary election results gave a glimpse into what voters may be feeling come November for the general election, with the most crucial race across Southwest Washington gaining national attention.
Washington's Third Congressional District will be a contested battle between incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and current state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, as the two surged past seven other candidates as preliminary results were announced on Tuesday.
After preliminary results, Gluesenkamp Perez sits ahead of Braun by less than 300 votes.
Districtwide, Gluesenkamp Perez gained a narrow lead after Clark County results were reported.
Gluesenkamp Perez finished the first round of results with 54,132 votes (38.90%) with Braun receiving 53,869 (38.71%). Prior to Clark County results being added, districtwide voters favored Braun by a little over 5,000 votes.
In Clark County, Gluesenkamp Perez received 37,856 votes (40.96%), while Braun followed with 31,735 votes (34.33%).
In Cowlitz County, Braun led the field with 7,854 votes (44.14%), followed by Gluesenkamp Perez with 6,857 votes (38.54%). Combined across the two counties, Gluesenkamp Perez totaled 44,713 votes, narrowly outpacing Braun's 39,589 votes, setting up a November general election matchup between the top two finishers.
The unofficial primary results were called by the Associated Press after 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Progressive Democrat Brent Hennrich earned 21,290 votes (15.30%). Many supporters of Hennrich are vocal in opposition to the more independent-leaning Democrat, Gluesenkamp Perez.
Under the national spotlight, analysts have long predicted the Braun versus Gluesenkamp Perez matchup come November.
Gluesenkamp Perez has a significant fundraising edge, reporting more than $6 million in fundraising while also facing Hennrich from within her own party. Braun has been second in fundraising with just over $2 million raised.
Recent polling on the Third Congressional District race currently favors Braun, but close enough to be labeled a toss-up.
