Race for Competitive Washington Congressional Seat Turns Into Rematch

Two years ago, Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez won a seat in Congress in Washington State, beating her Republican rival, Joe Kent, by less than 3,000 votes.

The two politicians are now set for a rematch in November, according to The Associated Press, after pulling ahead of other candidates in Tuesday’s open primary election for the Third Congressional District in the southwestern part of the state. Washington State’s vote-by-mail system means that many ballots are still to be counted.

Ms. Gluesenkamp Perez, a former auto-repair shop owner, has established herself in Congress as an independent voice, splitting with her party on key issues. Last month, she joined Republicans in voting to condemn Vice President Kamala Harris’s handling of the southern border. She has so far declined to endorse Ms. Harris for the presidency.

Mr. Kent, a retired Green Beret, has the support of former President Donald J. Trump and has joined Mr. Trump in falsely claiming that the 2020 election was rigged. He advocated pardoning those who were accused of storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, describing them as political prisoners.

The race between Ms. Gluesenkamp Perez and Mr. Kent is considered one of the most competitive in the country and will help determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives.