SEATTLE – First-term Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez was re-elected Saturday, surviving a rematch with Republican Joe Kent in southwestern Washington state’s closely watched 3rd Congressional District.

Two years ago, Gluesenkamp Perez, who owns an auto repair shop with her husband, suddenly managed to win a seat that had not been held by Democrats for more than a decade. He beat Trump-backed Kent by fewer than 3,000 votes out of nearly 320,000, making the race one of the closest in the country and setting the stage for a tough election battle this year.

His predecessor, Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler, was in office for six terms but did not survive the 2022 primaries after voting to impeach Trump over the Jan. 6 insurrection. The district narrowly tipped for Trump in 2020 and has become a key target for both parties this year.

Last week, an arson attack in Vancouver, the region’s largest city, in which a ballot box was targeted and hundreds of ballot papers were burned, drew even more attention to the race. People who voted at this box were asked to contact their county auditor to obtain replacement ballots.

During her tenure, Gluesenkamp Perez balanced progressive policies with some measures popular with Republicans; These include securing the U.S.-Mexico border, which he criticized Biden for failing to do, and introducing a constitutional amendment that would force presidents to balance the budget.

He supports access to abortion and criticizes Kent, who has previously said he supports a national abortion ban, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. He was criticized for changing his position after Wade overturned his case. The city now says abortion laws should be left to the states.

Gluesenkamp Perez supports policies to combat climate change but also speaks openly about gun ownership. One of the top priorities is to introduce a “right to repair” bill that would help people repair equipment without having to pay exorbitant prices to the original manufacturer.

Kent, the former Green Beret who has called for President Joe Biden’s impeachment, cited inflation and illegal immigration as top concerns.

The two disagreed on an important local issue: A large bridge over the Columbia River Between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. Gluesenkamp Perez supports plans to replace the existing bridge; The city argued that a new bridge should be built while the old bridge was maintained.