Democratic challenger Krista Perez held a 741-vote lead over incumbent state Rep. Melanie Morgan in early returns from the 29th Legislative District race on Nov. 3.

The all-Democrat contest covers parts of South and East Tacoma, plus Parkland, Lakewood and Spanaway. It has drawn attention statewide because of Morgan's vote against the so-called millionaires tax and Perez's arrest on a drunk driving charge in August.

Early results posted the evening of Nov. 3 showed Perez with 11,875 votes, or 49.29%, to Morgan's 11,134 votes, or 46.21%, The News Tribune reported. Additional results are expected Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 4, and Pierce County will certify its election results on Nov. 24.

What shaped the race

Morgan, a Democrat representing the 29th District, was one of eight House Democrats who voted against Senate Bill 6346 (SB 6346), the high-earners income tax, when it passed the House 51-46 on March 10. The legislation would impose a 9.9% levy on adjusted gross household income above $1 million a year, according to the Washington State Standard.

That vote cost Morgan support from progressives and some unions. Perez has said she entered the race because of Morgan's vote on the income tax, KUOW reported. The New Direction PAC, which backs progressive challengers against moderate Democrats, also weighed in against Morgan, according to the Washington State Standard's primary coverage.

Morgan is not the only Democrat who voted against the tax and trailed on election night. State Rep. Amy Walen of Kirkland was down 1,051 votes to challenger Jessica Forsythe in the 48th District, the Washington State Standard reported.

DUI charge hangs over Perez

Perez finished first in the Aug. 4 primary by a razor-thin margin. One week later, on Aug. 11, she was arrested after she allegedly hit a parked car and caused a chain-reaction crash involving four other empty vehicles, according to court records cited by The News Tribune.

The Tacoma City Attorney's Office charged Perez with one count of driving under the influence, a gross misdemeanor, with an enhancement citing her refusal to take a breath test. She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment in Tacoma Municipal Court. Judge Steve Krupa accepted the plea and ordered Perez not to consume or possess alcohol, cannabis or other illegal substances without a prescription.

Despite the charge, Perez led Morgan by more than 3 percentage points in early general election returns, the Washington State Standard reported.

Endorsements and priorities

Perez lists childcare, affordability, housing and workers' rights among her priorities, according to The News Tribune. She has won endorsements from Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates and the 29th LD Democrats, along with members of the Tacoma City Council and Pierce County Council.

Morgan's backers include Gov. Bob Ferguson, the Washington Fire Chiefs and the Washington Housing Alliance, according to The News Tribune. Her campaign page cites housing stability, education, criminal justice reform and healthcare as priorities.

What comes next

The race remains uncalled. Additional ballot counts are expected Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 4. Counties will certify results on Nov. 24, and the Secretary of State will certify statewide results by Dec. 3.