Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez pulls ahead of Joe Kent in 3rd District results

Early results show U.S. Rep Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D- Skamania, pulling ahead of Republican challenger Joe Kent in the 3rd Congressional District race on Tuesday.

Perez had 51.78 percent (155,231 votes) to Kent’s 47.84 percent (143,433 votes) districtwide, according to the Washington Secretary of State’s 8:27 p.m. tally.

In Clark County, Perez was leading by a larger margin with 56.50 percent, or 110,365 votes, to Kent’s 43.13 percent or 84,260 votes.

The next set of election results will be released about 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Clark County Elections Office reported there are about 70,000 votes left to count. Voter turnout stands at about 80 percent in Clark County.

Across the the state, more than 2.6 million votes have been counter with some 790,000 yet to be tallied.

Here’s how other Southwest Washington races are shaping up, according to early returns.

Legislature

In the 17th District, which includes Camas and Carson, Republican Paul Harris was pulling ahead of Democrat Marla Keethler in the Senate race with 50.49 percent (31,041) to her 49.4 percent (30,370 votes). The race between Democrat Terri Niles and Republican David Stuebe for House Position No. 2 was also close. Niles had 50.18 percent (30,610 votes) to Stuebe’s 49.69 percent (30,306 votes). Incumbent Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, ran unopposed for House Position No. 1.

In the 18th District, which stretches from Hazel Dell to Battle Ground, Democrat Adrian Cortes took a slight lead over Republican Brad Benton. He had 50.82 percent (31,735 votes) to Benton’s 49 percent (30,599 votes). Republican incumbent Stephanie McClintock was fending off a challenge from Democrat Deken Letinich for House Position No. 1. McClintock had 54.97 percent (34,212 votes) to Letinich’s 44.93 percent (27,963 votes). In the race for House Position No. 2, Republican John Ley’s pending felony voter fraud charges didn’t seem to be holding him back. He had 50.1 percent (31,172 votes), while Democrat John Zingale trailed with 49.75percent (30,950 votes).

Democratic incumbents in the 49th District, which encompasses Vancouver, fended off Republican challengers. Annette Cleveland received 62.73 percent (29,809 votes) while Republican Lucia Worthington had 37.06 percent (17,610 votes). Rep. Sharon Wylie received 64.24 percent (30,503 votes) while Republican Brett Graham had 35.59 percent (16,901 votes). Rep. Monica Jurado Stonier received 63.67 percent (30,217 votes) while Republican Russell Barber had 36.16 percent (17,161 votes).

In the 20th District, which includes Ridgefield and Woodland, Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, both incumbents, were unchallenged.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Peter Abbarno easily fended off a challenge from Melvin Kaleolani Apana, who identified himself as a Culture Republican. Abbarno had 87.7 percent (30,791 votes) to Apana’s 9.67 percent (3,396 votes) as of 8:18 p.m. Tuesday.

Clark County races

In the Clark County councilor races, Wil Fuentes had 52.23 percent (14,955 votes) to Chuck Keplar’s 47.05 (13,471 votes). The race between Joe Zimmerman and Matt Little appears tight. Zimmerman had 49.75 percent (17,532 votes) to Little’s 49.56 percent (17,466 votes).

Propositions and charter amendments

Vancouver’s Proposition 4, aimed at funding 80 new police officers and other services, was failing by 800 votes, or just over 1 percentage point. As of Tuesday night, 29,245 people, or 50.69 percent voted against the measure, while 28,445, or 49.31 percent voted in favor.

Vancouver voters resoundingly approved all five amendments to the city charter.

Voters also weighed in on amendments to the Clark County charter. Charter Amendment No. 16, which would raise the sheriff’s salary, had 64.06 percent approval in early returns. Amendment No. 17, governing redistricting for county council positions, had 55.20 percent voter approval. Amendment No. 18, regarding submission of initiative petitions, had 50.42 percent approval.

Clark Public Utilities

In the nonpartisan race for Clark Public Utilities commissioner, Sherry Erickson took a strong lead over James Oneil. She had 66.66 percent (109,111 votes) to his 32.62 percent (53,396).