The race to represent the 3rd Congressional District has slim but definitive winners as incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler has conceded in her sixth re-election attempt.
While Herrera Beutler was in second place behind Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on the night of the Aug. 2 primary election and the days that followed, Republican Joe Kent surged ahead of her as ballots continued to be cast.
Herrera Beutler conceded the election last week. She held the congressional seat for six terms.
As of the latest numbers available, Perez was in the lead with about 31%.
According to Aug. 11 counts, Kent, a Trump-endorsed candidate, had received about 22.8% of the vote, against incumbent Herrera Beutler’s 22.3%. The election will be certified by the Washington secretary of state on Aug. 19. There were an estimated 200 votes left to count in Clark County as of Aug. 11.
Herrera Beutler issued a statement conceding the race and thanking her supporters.
“Ever since I was first elected to this seat I have done my very best to serve my home region and our country,” Herrera Beutler said in a statement. “Though my campaign came up short this time, I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together for the place where I was raised and still call home.”
The representative was first elected in 2010 and had served with little competition in votes until 2018 where a Democratic challenger, Carolyn Long, went against her in the general election. Long lost with Herrera Beutler gaining 56.4% of the vote in 2020, and 52.7% in 2018.
In her concession statement, Herrera Beutler focused on her work as a legislator.
“When I took office, I said we could improve how health care works for Southwest Washington residents,” Herrera Beutler said.
She touted her support of the ACE Kids Act intended for low-income youth getting life-saving specialty medical care and other legislation to tackle maternal mortality.
“And I’ll always enjoy my conversations in the grocery store with folks who want to chat about the landmark salmon preservation law I fought so hard for,” Herrera Beutler said.
Kent faces Gluesenkamp Perez, a recent addition to what used to be a slate of Republicans seeking to unseat Herrera Beutler. Gluesenkamp Perez has touted her small business ownership and support of greater spending for child care among her policy points.
