For the first time in recent memory, and perhaps in all of history, our local congressional election is attracting significant national attention.
The two major party nominees, Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican Joe Kent, have been interviewed or discussed on nationwide television news programs numerous times.
No less than "The New York Times," one of the nation's premier newspapers, has highlighted the campaign in a lengthy feature article.
For several reasons, this is an unusually important "off-year" election. The current party balance in the 100-seat United States Senate is exactly 50-50, with the Democrats dependent on Vice President Kamala Harris to break deadlocks.
In the 435-seat House of Representatives, the Democratic margin is a mere eight, with three vacancies. A net opposition gain of just six seats would swing the chamber to the GOP. Hence the strong focus on the 3rd District.
Ours is one of the very few congressional jurisdictions in which the incumbent was defeated in the primary election, leaving neither party with the vast advantages of incumbency in the general.
Furthermore, both nominees are young, attractive and energetic, easily approachable and amiable. But there the similarity ends.
From the very beginning of his campaign, Kent has been in the shadow of Donald Trump. Virtually all of the former president's policies, from hostility to immigration to friendliness to Vladimir Putin to anti-choice on abortion, have met with Kent's unqualified approval.
But especially disturbing is Kent's obsequious posture regarding the 2020 election. Inarguably, the turmoil roiled by Trump in the aftermath of his decisive loss has been the most dangerous threat to domestic security since the Civil War.
In total disregard of objective truth, the narcissist Trump persists in his delusional fantasy of a landslide triumph that was stolen. Never mind that he was thumped by a massive margin of 7 million.
As recently as Aug. 29 of this year, Trump posted that he should be certified the winner of the election, or "and this would be the minimal solution, declare the 2020 Election irreparably compromised and have a new Election immediately!"
This is just lunacy. Plainly, Trump has no more appreciation of the Constitution and the proper role of the president than a child. He couldn't care less about the American people, and what is he doing with those secret documents?
Yet Kent maintains his act as doormat to this petulant wreckage of a man.
Appeasing a self-worshipping spoiled brat apparently pulls rank on the common good.
In stark contrast is Gluesenkamp Perez, whose background and aspiration shine with openness, cleverness, hard work and enthusiasm. Beginning with nothing, she has gone far.
For at least the past quarter of a century, the 3rd District has been well-served in Congress, first by Democratic independent Brian Baird and then by Republican independent Jaime Herrera Beutler.
Better qualified to honor and continue this tradition is Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, hands down twice over.
Joseph Tipler
Centralia
