Votes for Joe Kent push him within 2,000 votes of second place for Washington’s 3rd District 

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With only around 44% of the votes in Clark County alone having been counted, the most recent updated primary election results narrow the gap between third place Republican candidate Joe Kent and incumbent Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler. 

Updated results on Thursday night had Marie Gluesenkemp Perez, D-Washougal, still in first place with 31.09% of the votes. In second place, Herrera Beutler had earned 36,671, or 23.28%. Trailing closely in third was Kent, who has garnered 34,593 votes, or 21.96%.

The Washington Secretary of State’s office at the same time on Thursday reported statewide, about 38% of ballots had been returned. In Cowlitz County, 31.09% of the votes had been counted. 

At this point, it is too early to call the race for either Kent or Herrera Beutler, yet it is likely the second place spot in the jungle primary will go to one of them. Herrera Beulter has held the placement since election night.



Kent’s campaign declined to provide comment to The Reflector, saying they will not be speaking with press until after the election is certified. 

Statewide certification of the election will take place on Aug. 19.

To see current results on multi-county and statewide elections, visit https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/.

This story will be updated.