Washington Dem slapped with DUI while campaigning to oust moderate incumbent in state level race

Tacoma authorities charged Perez Thursday with driving under the influence following a crash earlier in the week near Lincoln High School. According to charging documents, police allege Perez was driving a Chevy Silverado that struck a parked vehicle in the 3700 block of South G Street, setting off a chain reaction that damaged three additional vehicles.

Officers responding to the crash reported that Perez smelled of alcohol and appeared confused. She acknowledged that she had been driving but reportedly told police she did not know what had happened.

Police said Perez exhibited several signs they believed indicated impairment, including slurred speech, red eyes, mood swings and an unsteady gait. Perez told investigators she had consumed a glass of wine at a local winery, according to court documents. When asked how much she had consumed, Perez reportedly told officers to ask winery employees and appeared offended by the question.

She reportedly rated her level of intoxication as four on a scale of one to 10.

Officers then asked Perez to perform field sobriety tests. According to the charging documents, Perez repeatedly said she did not understand the instructions and told police she wanted to go home. Officers informed her that was not an option, and she eventually declined to participate in the tests.

Perez was arrested and taken to Tacoma police headquarters, where authorities said she agreed to provide breath samples after consulting with an attorney, but police allege she never produced an adequate sample.

According to the charging documents, officers repeatedly explained how to use the breathalyzer, but Perez allegedly tucked in her lips, pulled away from the mouthpiece and produced breaths too weak to generate a sufficient sample. Police ultimately classified the incident as a refusal to submit to breath testing. The alleged refusal could result in additional consequences if Perez is convicted.

Perez was booked into the Pierce County jail, where she spent approximately six hours before being released. Her arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 18. Her defense attorney, Bryan G. Hershman, sought to minimize the effect of the charge on the legislative race. "We’re talking about a DUI," Hershman said. "It’s not like we’re talking about felony murder here."

"No matter what happens in this DUI case, there’s still homeless people we need to get off the streets," Hershman added. "I hope we can stay focused on what’s relevant."

The charge comes as Perez is attempting to defeat Morgan from the left in a race that highlights divisions within Washington's Democratic Party. Morgan, who has represented the district since 2019, broke with most Democrats by voting against the state's income tax on high earners earlier this year. Perez has repeatedly made Morgan's opposition to the tax an issue in the campaign. Perez has repeatedly attacked Morgan for voting against the state's new income tax.

Krista Perez, 40, is challenging Democratic state Rep. Melanie Morgan in Washington's 29th Legislative District, running to the incumbent's left with heavy support from organized labor. The 29th Legislative District covers much of south and east Tacoma as well as Parkland, Spanaway and portions of Lakewood.

The Washington State Standard reported that Perez finished roughly two points ahead of Morgan in the primary, setting up a general election contest that has become a test of whether Washington's progressive wing can push the Democratic caucus further left.

Perez has secured support from some of Washington's most influential organized labor groups, including the SEIU 775, SEIU 925, the Washington Federation of State Employees, WEA-PAC, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, The Urbanist, Washington State Labor Council, Service Employees International Union and the Washington Education Association.

Perez works as a strategic partnerships manager for the Washington State Department of Commerce and unsuccessfully ran for Tacoma City Council last year.