Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez successfully secured reelection to her U.S. House seat in Washington state on Saturday, overcoming Republican challenger Joe Kent in a highly competitive rematch that harkens back to one of the tightest contests in the 2022 elections. In the previous election cycle, Gluesenkamp Perez triumphed by a narrow margin of just over 2,600 votes.

Before entering politics, Gluesenkamp Perez operated an auto repair shop in a rural section of her district, which played a significant role in shaping her campaign strategy. This district has a reputation for leaning Republican, having been won by former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. It encompasses the southwestern region of Washington and extends into some areas near Portland, Oregon, that are part of the state.

The moment the race was called, it was noted that Gluesenkamp Perez was officially declared the winner by election officials at 6:36 p.m. EST. Her victory reflects not only her appeal to voters but also a continuation of the ongoing political dynamics within the region.