PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The battle to represent Washington's 3rd Congressional District -- which includes Clark County -- will become more clear later Tuesday night as voters make their voices heard in the state primary.
Voters in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District — which includes Clark County — will cast their ballots for incumbent freshman Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez or her two Republican opponents, Joe Kent and Leslie Lewallen.
The primary race is a top-two race, meaning the top two vote getters regardless of party will face off in November’s general election.
Perez, who owns an auto shop in Portland with her husband, campaigns as a Democrat who works across the aisle to help working class families.
She faces two GOP challengers in the primary. Kent is a former special forces veteran and Trump supporter, while Lewallen is a Camas city councilor who bills herself as an "America First" candidate.
This congressional district leans Republican. This race -- along with a few dozen other congressional races around the country -- could decide the balance of power in the House of Representatives. At this time, Republicans have a 6-seat majority.
"Gluesenkamp Perez's seat needs to be held by the Democrats, and they need to win a few more competitive seats with Democrats to be able to flip the House, said WSU Vancouver Political Science Professor Mark Stephan. "That is on the mind of the national party, and that is in the back of the mind for Gluesenkamp Perez as well."
Preliminary results — with an estimated 75% of ballots counted — should be available by 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. All ballots should be in and counted by Friday.
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