The POLITICO race to watch: Washington’s 3rd
Candidates: Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) v. Joe Kent (R), former officer in the U.S. Army Special Forces.
Ad spending since Labor Day: $14.7 million for Democrats; $7.8 million for Republicans.
Past results: Gluesenkamp Perez squeaked out a surprise victory in 2022 by less than 3,000 votes over Kent.
2020 presidential result: 50.8 percent Trump; 46.6 percent Biden
Cook Political Report rating: Toss-up
Some background: Gluesenkamp Perez’s narrow victory in this GOP-leaning turf shocked most political observers — and she faces a competitive rematch in her reelection bid. The district was previously represented by moderate GOP Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump over his role in the Jan. 6 attempted insurrection — and lost in the 2022 primaries. Kent frequently raised conspiracy theories about President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory during his first bid for Congress, but has since tried to moderate his image.
The state of play: Despite the vast amounts of money pouring into southwest Washington, there has been little nonpartisan polling. An October survey conducted on behalf of the Northwest Progressive Institute found the contest knotted up at 46 percent. During the most recent fundraising quarter, the incumbent hauled in $3.22 million, while Kent took in about $886,000.
Why you should care: Democrats will likely need to hold onto seats they currently have in GOP-friendly terrain like WA-03 if they want to regain control of the House. Gluesenkamp Perez has sought to establish a distinct — and localized — brand apart from the national Democratic Party. The results in this southwest Washington district may hold lessons for Democrats running in red-leaning regions around the country.
More on the candidates: Gluesenkamp Perez’s unexpected rise from an automobile repair shop co-owner with her husband to member of Congress was well-chronicled after her upset victory in 2022. Kent was a member of the Army Special Forces and worked for the CIA until 2019, when his late wife, Shannon, died in a bombing in Syria.
The issues: Disputes over federal spending, the southern border and the cost of living have featured prominently. However, plenty of local issues, like the region’s timber industry and the replacement of a major bridge in the area have also garnered focus.
In the waning days of the contest, hundreds of ballots were lost in a Vancouver, Wash. ballot box arson incident. Both candidates later encouraged voters to check the status of their ballots in social media posts on X. The incident took place in an area rich in Democratic voters Gluesenkamp Perez will need should she hope to win.
Every day POLITICO will highlight one race to watch. Yesterday’s: Montana Senate.