2024 Washington (WA-03) US House of Representatives Voters Guide

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) vs Joe Kent (R)

US House | Election | Nov 5, 2024

The Candidates

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Democrat

Incumbent
Joe Kent

Joe Kent

Republican

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Legal. “I support a woman’s right to access health care, full stop.” Sponsored a bill to prohibit interference with access to out-of-state abortion services. “Is fighting to ensure every woman can see a doctor whenever she wants, for whatever reason. That is her right.”

Joe Kent (R)

Ban. In 2022: “I would move to have a national ban on abortions.” No exceptions for rape or incest. In 2024: “I don’t support a national abortion ban, and you can count on me. My word is my bond.” States should decide.

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Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Yes.Climate change is here. This is not just weather.” Climate-induced weather disasters “disproportionately affect the working class.” Supports tax rebates for energy efficiency upgrades for working class families. Wants energy policy that supports working families.

Joe Kent (R)

No. “The… green agenda is… being used as a stalking horse to make America weak.” Calls renewable energy “a payday for the Chinese Communist Party.” “We’re in a warming cycle right now. The question is, is it because of carbon emissions? That’s not definitive.”

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Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Hire more police officers and raise their salaries. Sponsored a bill to recruit and retain police officers in community-oriented policing. Supported a Republican bill making assaulting a police officer a deportable offense.

Joe Kent (R)

Opposes a WA state law requiring that police use “the least amount of physical force necessary.” Would abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. “Defund the FBI, fund constitutional sheriffs.”

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Economy

Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Mixed. Streamline the SBA loan application process. Fully fund Columbia River bridge with federal dollars; helped secure $2.1 billion. Supports right to repair one’s own equipment. Regulate companies deceptively reducing product sizes without lowering the price. Cut “burdensome regulations” hurting local farms.

Joe Kent (R)

Mixed. Supports reducing federal spending to control inflation. Wants to use tariffs and “economic sticks and carrots to bring good paying jobs and rising wages back to the US.” Would build a new separate Columbia River bridge and also retrofit current one. Opposes extending Tri-Met light rail to Vancouver.

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Education

Limit teaching about racism and gender identity?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Mixed. Supported a bill that would ban requiring diversity measures for college accreditation. Voted to limit teaching race-based theories at military-run schools. Opposed giving parents the right to inspect school reading materials.

Joe Kent (R)

Yes. “Get the federal government out of our schools,” and “prevent Planned Parenthood, the 1619 Project, and critical race theory” from entering school curriculum. Opposes “school mandates” that he says limit parental involvement in sex education.

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Elections

Did Joe Biden win the 2020 Presidential election?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Yes.We had a free and fair election in 2020, one in which Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump nationally.”

Joe Kent (R)

No. The election was “rigged.” Called people arrested for the January 6 attacks “political prisoners.”

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Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Mixed. Voted to roll back EPA’s stricter vehicle emissions limits. Voted to maintain clean water regulations. Called for protection of fishing areas. Promote “the use of renewable paper and cardboard for packaging rather than environment-killing plastics.”

Joe Kent (R)

Loosen.We must aggressively deregulate our natural resource industries.” Criticizes the Endangered Species Act and “excessive regulation coming from the EPA.” Favors local control of natural resources.

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Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun regulation?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Mixed.Guns are a part of life in rural America, and I support the 2nd Amendment.” Opposes an assault weapons ban; supports raising the ownership age to 21. Supports “a better system of background checks” and “red flag” laws. “Firearms are a tool that needs to be used responsibly.”

Joe Kent (R)

Loosen. “I oppose any effort to further restrict firearm ownership.” Opposes “red flag” laws. Regarding people being able to buy machine guns, “The American people should have the exact same weapons that our military has.” “Infringing on the Second Amendment is not something we can do.”

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Health Care

Increase or decrease government role in health care?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Increase.All Americans deserve access to quality, affordable health care.” Would negotiate Medicare-covered drug prices. Sponsored a bill to expand access to generic drugs. Would give nurse practitioners more authority in rural areas with fewer doctors.

Joe Kent (R)

Decrease. “The last thing the federal government should do is get involved in healthcare.” Calls for repealing the Affordable Care Act but in a way “that no one’s left out in the cold.” Wants more competition in health care.

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Immigration

How to handle immigration? Support a path to citizenship for “DACA” participants brought to the US as children?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Introduced a bill to restrict asylum with humanitarian exceptions, reject migrants who cross without proper paperwork, and require asylum-seekers to return to Mexico to await their court hearings. “President Biden has failed to end the crisis at our southern border.” No position found on DACA.

Joe Kent (R)

Supports building a wall. “Defend our borders, mass deportations, & zero pathway to citizenship for illegals or their children.” Would end DACA. Says the administration is “trying to replace American citizens” through immigration. “End visas that take jobs from Americans, H1B visas especially.”

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Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Easier. Supports the PRO Act protecting workers’ right to organize: It “cracks down on union-busting by wealthy corporations and CEOs.” Would ban companies from cutting employees’ health insurance during strikes.

Joe Kent (R)

Harder. Opposes the PRO Act protecting workers’ right to organize: “It forces workers to join unions.” Called teachers’ union leaders “thugs.”

Click To Share Stance

LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Expand. Sponsored the Equality Act, banning discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Opposed barring transgender females from competing in programs for girls or women.

Joe Kent (R)

Limit. Opposes flying the LGBTQ flag at government facilities. LGBTQ rights are part of “the managed decline of our nation by the ruling class.” “The trans agenda” is working “to erode the family unit.”

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Marijuana

Ban or legal?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Legal. Sponsored a bill protecting banks that serve state-legal marijuana businesses. Supports decriminalizing possession.

Joe Kent (R)

Mixed. Does not support at the federal level. Legalizing marijuana convictions is a “states’ issue.” Supports WA state legalization.

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Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Yes. Sponsored a bipartisan bill to tie the federal minimum wage to the cost of living in different regions. “It would help ensure the minimum wage is tailored to families’ needs.”

Joe Kent (R)

No position found.

Click To Share Stance

Student Financial Aid

Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Mixed. Opposed Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, one of two Democrats to do so. Supports targeted student debt relief and “investments in… technical education.”

Joe Kent (R)

No. Opposes student loan forgiveness. Called President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan a “complete disgrace & abuse of power.”

Click To Share Stance

Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Raise.Stand with me to demand a fair tax code that forces the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share.” Called the current tax code “demoralizing… to small business owners.”

Joe Kent (R)

Lower. Pledges not to raise federal income taxes. Opposes taxing couples making $400k more, saying it “will directly impact” those making less.

Click To Share Stance

Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D)

Easier. Sponsored a bill restoring key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Calls Washington state’s vote-by-mail system “safe and secure.”

Joe Kent (R)

Harder. Regarding voting by mail, in 2022 said “reforms are needed to ensure that only people eligible to vote are doing so.” In 2024 encourages people to vote by mail. “I wish we could go back to voting in person where you actually had to show your ID. But… we have to win within the current system.”

Click To Share Stance

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We have space for candidates polling 15% or more. Vote411.org offers guides to local races and how to vote. For campuses, see Campus Vote Project’s state-specific guides to student voting rules.

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Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

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Joe Kent

republican Party

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Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

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See guides.vote for online guides with links & sources https://marieforcongress.com/ https://joekentforcongress.com/
Abortion

Ban or legal?

Legal. “I support a woman’s right to access health care, full stop.” Sponsored a bill to prohibit interference with access to out-of-state abortion services. “Is fighting to ensure every woman can see a doctor whenever she wants, for whatever reason. That is her right.”Ban. In 2022: “I would move to have a national ban on abortions.” No exceptions for rape or incest. In 2024: “I don’t support a national abortion ban, and you can count on me. My word is my bond.” States should decide.
Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Yes.Climate change is here. This is not just weather.” Climate-induced weather disasters “disproportionately affect the working class.” Supports tax rebates for energy efficiency upgrades for working class families. Wants energy policy that supports working families.No. “The… green agenda is… being used as a stalking horse to make America weak.” Calls renewable energy “a payday for the Chinese Communist Party.” “We’re in a warming cycle right now. The question is, is it because of carbon emissions? That’s not definitive.”
Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Hire more police officers and raise their salaries. Sponsored a bill to recruit and retain police officers in community-oriented policing. Supported a Republican bill making assaulting a police officer a deportable offense.Opposes a WA state law requiring that police use “the least amount of physical force necessary.” Would abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. “Defund the FBI, fund constitutional sheriffs.”
Economy

Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Mixed. Streamline the SBA loan application process. Fully fund Columbia River bridge with federal dollars; helped secure $2.1 billion. Supports right to repair one’s own equipment. Regulate companies deceptively reducing product sizes without lowering the price. Cut “burdensome regulations” hurting local farms.Mixed. Supports reducing federal spending to control inflation. Wants to use tariffs and “economic sticks and carrots to bring good paying jobs and rising wages back to the US.” Would build a new separate Columbia River bridge and also retrofit current one. Opposes extending Tri-Met light rail to Vancouver.
Education

Limit teaching about racism and gender identity?

Mixed. Supported a bill that would ban requiring diversity measures for college accreditation. Voted to limit teaching race-based theories at military-run schools. Opposed giving parents the right to inspect school reading materials.Yes. “Get the federal government out of our schools,” and “prevent Planned Parenthood, the 1619 Project, and critical race theory” from entering school curriculum. Opposes “school mandates” that he says limit parental involvement in sex education.
Elections

Did Joe Biden win the 2020 Presidential election?

Yes.We had a free and fair election in 2020, one in which Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump nationally.”No. The election was “rigged.” Called people arrested for the January 6 attacks “political prisoners.”
Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Mixed. Voted to roll back EPA’s stricter vehicle emissions limits. Voted to maintain clean water regulations. Called for protection of fishing areas. Promote “the use of renewable paper and cardboard for packaging rather than environment-killing plastics.”Loosen.We must aggressively deregulate our natural resource industries.” Criticizes the Endangered Species Act and “excessive regulation coming from the EPA.” Favors local control of natural resources.
Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun regulation?

Mixed.Guns are a part of life in rural America, and I support the 2nd Amendment.” Opposes an assault weapons ban; supports raising the ownership age to 21. Supports “a better system of background checks” and “red flag” laws. “Firearms are a tool that needs to be used responsibly.”Loosen. “I oppose any effort to further restrict firearm ownership.” Opposes “red flag” laws. Regarding people being able to buy machine guns, “The American people should have the exact same weapons that our military has.” “Infringing on the Second Amendment is not something we can do.”
Health Care

Increase or decrease government role in health care?

Increase.All Americans deserve access to quality, affordable health care.” Would negotiate Medicare-covered drug prices. Sponsored a bill to expand access to generic drugs. Would give nurse practitioners more authority in rural areas with fewer doctors.Decrease. “The last thing the federal government should do is get involved in healthcare.” Calls for repealing the Affordable Care Act but in a way “that no one’s left out in the cold.” Wants more competition in health care.
Immigration

How to handle immigration? Support a path to citizenship for “DACA” participants brought to the US as children?

Introduced a bill to restrict asylum with humanitarian exceptions, reject migrants who cross without proper paperwork, and require asylum-seekers to return to Mexico to await their court hearings. “President Biden has failed to end the crisis at our southern border.” No position found on DACA.Supports building a wall. “Defend our borders, mass deportations, & zero pathway to citizenship for illegals or their children.” Would end DACA. Says the administration is “trying to replace American citizens” through immigration. “End visas that take jobs from Americans, H1B visas especially.”
Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Easier. Supports the PRO Act protecting workers’ right to organize: It “cracks down on union-busting by wealthy corporations and CEOs.” Would ban companies from cutting employees’ health insurance during strikes.Harder. Opposes the PRO Act protecting workers’ right to organize: “It forces workers to join unions.” Called teachers’ union leaders “thugs.”
LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Expand. Sponsored the Equality Act, banning discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Opposed barring transgender females from competing in programs for girls or women.Limit. Opposes flying the LGBTQ flag at government facilities. LGBTQ rights are part of “the managed decline of our nation by the ruling class.” “The trans agenda” is working “to erode the family unit.”
Marijuana

Ban or legal?

Legal. Sponsored a bill protecting banks that serve state-legal marijuana businesses. Supports decriminalizing possession.Mixed. Does not support at the federal level. Legalizing marijuana convictions is a “states’ issue.” Supports WA state legalization.
Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Yes. Sponsored a bipartisan bill to tie the federal minimum wage to the cost of living in different regions. “It would help ensure the minimum wage is tailored to families’ needs.”No position found.
Student Financial Aid

Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?

Mixed. Opposed Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, one of two Democrats to do so. Supports targeted student debt relief and “investments in… technical education.”No. Opposes student loan forgiveness. Called President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan a “complete disgrace & abuse of power.”
Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Raise.Stand with me to demand a fair tax code that forces the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share.” Called the current tax code “demoralizing… to small business owners.”Lower. Pledges not to raise federal income taxes. Opposes taxing couples making $400k more, saying it “will directly impact” those making less.
Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Easier. Sponsored a bill restoring key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Calls Washington state’s vote-by-mail system “safe and secure.”Harder. Regarding voting by mail, in 2022 said “reforms are needed to ensure that only people eligible to vote are doing so.” In 2024 encourages people to vote by mail. “I wish we could go back to voting in person where you actually had to show your ID. But… we have to win within the current system.”

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