Gluesenkamp-Perez claims victory

Following recent updated vote tallies, Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is the projected winner of the race for the 3rd District seat in the US House of Representatives.

A Seattle Times analysis said it appears that, at current rates, Republican Joe Kent would have to take at least 73 percent of the remaining votes to overtake Gluesenkamp Perez.

On Tuesday, the Washington Secretary of State's website reported that Gluesenkamp Perez had received 157,365 votes, 50.24% of the total, and Kent had received 154,097 votes, 49.20 percent of the total.

In Wahkiakum County, Kent led the updated tally 1,371-1,084.

Pacific County tallied ballots on Tuesday; Gluesenkamp Perez led Kent 5,995-5,746.

Under Washington election law, mail-in ballots postmarked on or before election day may be counted until the elections are certified, which will be Nov. 29.

Kent's campaign has announced he will continue to search for votes, targeting ballots which were rejected for irregularities that can be remedied with election officials.

"While left-wing media are trying to convince you my election is over, let me re-assure you it is not," said a Monday email from Kent.

"There remain over twelve-thousands of ballots left to count, and we anticipate ten thousand ballots that were rejected that we can cure.

"Everyone on our team, including me, is driving all over the district to knock on the doors of voters who’ve had their ballots rejected. We also have live call centers dialing these voters and we’re sending them text messages.

Please help us offset the expense of this by donating today . . . We can turn this around in the final days but only if you help."

Meanwhile, according to a tweet on the Twitter platform, Gluesenkamp Perez has journeyed to Washington D.C. to join other first time legislators for orientation.

"The people have spoken, not just here but all around the country: They want representatives who will seek to build rather than destroy, who will listen and do the work rather than bask in celebrity, and who will focus on substance, not slogans or sound bites," Gluesenkamp Perez said in a Nov. 12 statement. "To the people of Southwest Washington: I pledge to you that I will work every day to live up to the responsibility you have placed in me, and will deliver the help working and middle class families need."