A Rarity: Four Highly Competitive Congressional Races in Washington State. Here's Where They Stand

Such is gerrymandering in America, with districts drawn to protect incumbents in Congress, that only about 50 of 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representative are truly competitive. By dint of retirement and internal party battles, however, Washington has four fierce House races this year.

The contests have consequences locally, as well as national implications. A tight battle for control of the “people’s house” is shaping up. Also, the election bears on the future of two endangered political species – main street conservative Republicans and Democrats from rural, Trump-leaning districts.

A pair of influential incumbents – Democratic Rep. Derek Kilmer and Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers – are retiring. Rep. Marie Glusenkamp-Perez, a moderate Democrat, faces a rematch with MAGA Republican Joe Kent. And GOP Rep. Dan Newhouse defends his seat as the only surviving Republican House remember of the 10 who voted to impeach President Trump after the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Congress is composed of show horses and work horses. Joe Kent is running with ex-President Trump’s endorsement in Washington’s 3rd District (Southeast Washington). He has spoken of jailed January 6 rioters as “political prisoners.” He has called for the jailing and trial of Dr. Anthony Fauci.

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https://www.postalley.org/2024/08/02/a-rarity-four-highly-competitive-congressional-races-in-washington-state-heres-where-they-stand/