The race for the U.S. House in the Third Congressional District has been interesting to watch this year and, at times, difficult to wade through the accusations to figure out who the best choice is.
I’ve read plenty of letters labeling Marie Gluesenkamp Perez as an extreme leftist, but this doesn’t add up. She has frequently voted against bills supported by the Democrats in Congress and she is a vocal co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, the most conservative group of Democrats in Congress.
Marie also belongs the Problem Solvers Caucus — a bipartisan group of House members looking for middle ground solutions. In short, Gluesenkamp Perez has a history of looking for practical solutions and working across the aisle at a time when that is difficult to do. She shows through her votes and measures she has co-sponsored that she works across the aisle to get the job done.
I am also persuaded by the fact that Gluesenkamp Perez makes herself available to the public, meeting with people in the district.
During Congressional recesses, she hosts a mobile office where anyone living in the district can meet with her or her staff. She has held town halls in every country in District 3, hearing what issues are most concerning. I’ve been very impressed by her work ethic and determination. I think she has earned our trust and support and I hope she wins her seat again and continues to do such a good job representing us.
Joe Kent, on the other hand, appears to be on the political extreme. Though he has toned down his rhetoric for this election cycle, it’s worth looking at his positions over time, particularly since his 2024 campaign often avoids answering many questions about his positions.
In 2022, when he was running against Gluesenkamp Perez, he parroted the false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen — a centerpiece of his campaign. And, in September 2021, Kent attended a rally in support of the Jan. 6 attempt to overthrow our democracy.
Furthermore, Kent in 2022 stated unequivocally that he wanted to see a national abortion ban. Now he says only that he thinks it should be up to each state. Time and again the news has shown him to have ties to far right activists such as Nick Fuentes, a well-known white nationalist, and members of the Proud Boys.
So while he’s softening that stance in this election cycle, apparently aware it will cost him votes. I say, don’t be fooled.
In short, if you are weighing who to support in the election for U.S. House District 3, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez or Joe Kent (R), I think it’s clear the best choice is Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez who has earned our trust.
Mark Collins
Thurston County
