Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is facing a tough re-election battle in Washington State, where she secured $600 million in federal funding to rebuild the aging Route I-5 bridge. The project has become a political lightning rod, with her opponent, far-right Republican Joe Kent, branding it as an “Antifa superhighway.”
Kent, who denies the legitimacy of the 2020 election, has stirred controversy by claiming that the bridge project will bring unwanted urban elements from Portland into the predominantly white community of Clark County, Washington. He has criticized the inclusion of light rail and tolls in the project, calling for more highway lanes instead.
The debate over the bridge reflects larger political divisions, with Republicans opposing President Biden’s infrastructure law and seeking to turn local issues into battlegrounds in the nation’s culture wars. Kent’s attacks on the project have drawn attention to the race, which is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the country this year.
Despite the challenges she faces, Perez remains focused on serving her constituents and delivering results for her district. She has worked to secure funding for the bridge project and has shown a willingness to break with her party on key votes. As she navigates the campaign trail, Perez is determined to stay true to her values and fight for the working-class families she represents.
The outcome of the race between Perez and Kent will have far-reaching implications for the region and the country as a whole. With control of Congress at stake, the battle over the Route I-5 bridge serves as a microcosm of the larger political struggles playing out across the nation.
