Democratic candidate joins 3rd Congressional District race

SKAMANIA — A small-business owner and fifth-generation Washingtonian announced her candidacy for the 3rd Congressional District on Friday, adding to the ever-growing number of challengers to unseat incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground.

The newest Democratic candidate, Marie Perez of Skamania, is joining the race for Congress with less than four months left until the primary election. According to Ballotpedia, the pool has grown to 11 candidates with a handful being currently active in their campaigns.

In a statement, Perez said she is determined to represent working class Washingtonians — something she understands as an auto repair shop owner and descendant of blue-collar laborers.

“For too long, residents of Southwest Washington have been ignored by politicians in both parties who are more interested in catering to extremes than helping working people,” Perez said. “I know how hard it is to make ends meet right now and that is exactly why I’m running for Congress — to be a voice for working people again.”

Perez noted that, similarly to other working-class households, her family faces the challenge of determining what bills take greater precedence over others. Perez and her husband, co-owner of the auto repair shop, must often decide whether to pay for health care or child care, she said. For that reason, the couple’s infant son joins them at work.

Other central themes in Perez’s campaign include investing in clean energy and trade programs, as well as addressing the financial increase of consumer goods. She opposes including corporate funding in politics including stock trading in Congress.