As a resident of Washington’s third congressional district, I am writing to express my support for the re-election of Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.

Her dedication to our community is evident through her frequent visits, the responsiveness of her congressional staff, and her efforts in securing over $21 million in funding for 15 community projects that address some of the most pressing needs in Southwest Washington. These projects benefit economic development efforts, water and wastewater infrastructure improvements, sustainable agriculture, our public port districts, and public safety, demonstrating her commitment to improving the lives of her constituents. As a member of the Ilwaco City Council I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with Marie and her staff to allocate $1 million of federal funding in the upcoming congressional budget to a floating intake for Ilwaco’s municipal reservoir.

Marie is committed to preserving and enhancing the livelihood of rural Washingtonians. As a tradeswoman, small business owner, and working mother, Marie has lived many of our frustrations. She’s proposing changes to overly restrictive childcare regulations, promoting sustainable agriculture and aquaculture practices, and supporting vital infrastructure projects that will deliver tangible results for rural Washingtonians.

Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez’s bipartisan approach has been a breath of fresh air in a political climate marked by increasingly debilitating division. She has been ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, working across the aisle to deliver results for small business owners, working families, farmers, fishermen and tradespeople. Her ability to put the needs of her constituents above party idolatry is not only commendable but necessary for the prosperity of our district and our nation.

Congressional Republicans successfully sabotaged the most conservative border bill in decades so they could campaign on immigration, which they’ve done relentlessly, and none more so than Marie’s opponent, Joe Kent. After watching the recent KOIN-6 candidate’s debate, three things stood out about Kent: He still thinks the 2020 election was rigged, that a woman’s rights in our country should depend on the state she lives in, and that he’s all too willing to blame all of our nation’s challenges on immigrants.

Now, more than ever, it is crucial to have leaders like Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez, who are focused on action and results, not divisive rhetoric and being the loudest person in the room. Her dedication to rural communities, her track record of funding vital community projects, and her bipartisan record are exactly why we need her representation in D.C. I urge my fellow residents to support her re-election, ensuring that our district, and rural districts across the country, have an effective voice in Congress.

MATT LESSNAU

Ilwaco