Though the results are preliminary, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, led in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District over Joe Kent, R-Yacolt, after initial results were released Tuesday.
At 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 8, 190,005 votes had been counted throughout the district, which encompasses Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Clark, Pacific, Skamania and Lewis counties plus a slice of Thurston County. Of those, 52.62% had been cast for Gluesenkamp Perez while 46.8% had been sent in for Kent.
The count will be updated in the days ahead. Kent also trailed in the primary election in August but ultimately overtook incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler as ballots were counted.
The race between Gluesenkamp Perez and Donald Trump-endorsed Kent has been historic and lengthy, gaining national media coverage including from the New York Times. Well over a year ago now, Kent was roused to candidacy by Republican incumbent Herrera Beutler’s vote to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Gluesenkamp Perez’s campaign sprang from Kent’s “far-right” stance, a title he proclaimed not to mind during an interview with The Chronicle.
The Kent campaign declined to comment on results on election night.
In a written statement from Gluesenkamp Perez’s campaign, the Democratic candidate said: “There are still a lot more votes to be counted and we will not know the final outcome for several days, but these initial results are hugely encouraging. … If tonight’s result stands, rest assured that I’ll stand up to both parties to bring back manufacturing and create local jobs, bring down the cost of gas and groceries and finally do something to make child care and health care affordable.”
View unofficial results for the current election at https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20221108/.
Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the state Elections Department at 740-1278, 740-1164 or toll free within Lewis County at 1-800-562-6130, ext. 1278 or 1164.
