Sen. John Braun to take on MGP for seat in Congress

Yahoo

2 days ago

Aug. 12—Washington state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, put rumors to bed on Tuesday morning, Aug. 12, as he officially announced plans to become the next representative for Washington's Third Congressional District.
In an interview with The Chronicle Editorial Board on Thursday, July 18, ahead of what was expected to be is original announcement date the following Wednesday, Braun pitched himself as a return to conservative values who better represents the moderately conservative district.
The announcement brings the active Lewis County politician and tested state legislator into a race that for the last two cycles has been dominated by a repeat competition between incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and current director of the U.S. Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent, who was twice endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Gluesenkamp Perez's initial victory over Kent in 2022 by less than a percentage point, or roughly 3,000 votes, was considered by many to be a huge upset in the traditionally red district that has consistently voted in support of Trump and supported Republican Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler for more than a decade.
The seat is high on the National Republican Party's list of districts they will need to flip in the 2026 mid-term elections in order to maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives and guard president Trump from an ineffectual second half to his second term as president.
Braun sees himself as a different candidate from those who have run for the district's congressional seat in the past, believing that his reputation in the state as a "common sense" legislator will win him more wide support than Kent has earned in the past. He called Kent a "patriot" and said he would not be critical of his previous pursuits for the office.
"I think I've established myself in the 20th District, in Southwest Washington, as a practical common sense legislator that will govern according to the conservative principals that are important in this district," Braun told The Chronicle. "I'm also committed to getting things done."
Braun currently serves as a Washington state senator for the 20th Legislative District representing Lewis County and parts of Thurston, Cowlitz and Clark counties. He has held the seat since first being elected in 2012. He also serves as the Senate Republican Leader, a position he has held since 2020.
Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, looks through documents during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.
Ridley Hudson — [e-mail]
The 'why'
Braun has been a fixture in Washington state politics for many years, so much so that some might ask the question — why now? Braun said he has considered running for federal office in the past, but that a mix of support from his family, community and from the national GOP has motivated him to finally throw his hat in the ring.
"I've thought about it, but this year I was pretty serious, and a lot of folks in the community, as I talk to folks around the community, have been very supportive," Braun said. "The national folks have been very supportive, and my wife and I talked about this for a very long time, and I just decided this is the right move for our community and for Southwest Washington."
Braun sees himself as a return to the conservative values of the Southwest Washington congressional district after what will be four years of representation by a Democrat. While he applauded Gluesenkamp Perez's efforts at bipartisan policy, calling them genuine, he argues that she has failed to deliver on conservative priorities in a meaningful way.
"I just don't think we're getting the type of representation from the incumbent that we deserve," Braun said. "Not just here in our local community, but broadly around the Third Congressional District. It's a Republican district. A moderate Republican district, but it's a Republican district, and that's not what we're getting from Marie Gluesenkamp Perez ... She kind of gets an A on the press release but not as good on actually focusing on the issues people care about."
Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, fist bumps another Republican lawmaker after being acknowledged during Gov. Bob Ferguson's inaugural address Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard)
Ryan Berry
Priorities
While Braun recognizes the difference of serving at the federal level from serving at the state level, his priorities remain largely the same, he said. As a state legislator, especially during the most recent legislative session, Braun has stuck to fiscally conservative values, recently decrying a record state tax increase and calling for more financial accountability. He shows interest in doing the same at the federal level, calling for affordability and a balanced budget.
"I have a lot of experience building a big state budget, and I hope to have an impact on an even bigger federal budget that brings our spending in line with our revenues long term," Braun said. "So we don't leave mountains of debt for our children and grandchildren."
Concerning affordability, Braun hopes to tackle the issue from multiple sides, looking at tax burdens, rising energy demand and local costs for public safety.
"How do we make Washington more affordable?" Braun asked. "That could be a tax issue. It could be things that address energy availability and therefore cost. It could be a whole range of things. It's public safety, and some of that is local, some of that is state and some of that is federal."
Other priority issues for the Centralian include immigration, national security and education. Braun said he hopes to take advantage of his 31 years in the U.S. Navy, including seven years of active duty, to inform his policies and pursuits on national security and defense.
He also hopes to aid progress and improvements to Washington state education while recognizing that the federal government generally has a small role in dictating local education policy.
Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks with other senators during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.
Ridley Hudson — [e-mail]
Experience
Going into a congressional campaign, Braun brings with him 13 years of state government experience as well as experience running a family business and serving on many at-will advisory boards in the Centralia and Chehalis area.
Braun is president of his family-owned business Braun Northwest, which was founded in 1986. The business is known for building emergency vehicles. Before going into the family business, Braun served active duty in the U.S. Navy and continued to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserves until officially retiring from more than 30 years of service in 2021.
Braun holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from University of Washington as well as master's degrees in business administration and manufacturing engineering from the University of Michigan.
He also currently serves on the Providence Centralia Hospital Community Board and the Centralia College Foundation Board.
In his role as a state senator, Braun not only serves as the senate minority leader, guiding his fellow Republicans, but he also serves as a ranking member on the Senate Rules Committee and sits on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee as well as other joint committees.
Sen. Andy Billig and Sen. John Braun in Olympia from the Capitol on Friday, Feb. 15, 2024.
Ridley Hudson — [e-mail]
Competition
While Braun is a hotly awaited and highly competitive candidate for the race, he is relatively late to the party and becomes the third Washingtonian to announce their intention to run for the Third Congressional District spot.
Brent Hennrich, a Vancouver-based Democrat, declared his candidacy for the seat in the beginning of May. Hennrich originally planned to run in the 2022 race but pulled out of the race to support Gluesenkamp Perez's candidacy.
In his announcement, he called out Gluesenkamp Perez for failing to deliver on Democratic issues.
Antony Baron, a Republican from Willapa Bay, has also announced his candidacy. The coastal Washingtonian is a career business man who has not yet served in political office. On his campaign website, he describes himself as an entrepreneur, father and citizen candidate separating himself from career politicians. Gluesenkamp Perez took a similar approach in her 2022 race.
The candidates will also, of course, face off against the incumbent Gluesenkamp Perez, who just recently won reelection to her seat in 2024. In 2026, the incumbent will look to defend her seat that could prove a serious asset to either political party after the 2026 midterms as Republicans look to defend their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and Democrats look to take power for themselves.
Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez takes a tour of the Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectric Project in Randle on Friday, Aug. 8.
Ridley Hudson — [e-mail]
Here's the full news release from Braun:
CHEHALIS, WA — Republican State Senator John Braun, 58, Centralia, today announced his candidacy for Congress in Southwest Washington's 3rd Congressional District. A U.S. Navy veteran and president of Braun Northwest, a family-owned manufacturer of emergency vehicles that provides 350 jobs in the region, Braun brings decades of leadership experience in business, the military, and public service.
"Whether in the Navy, running a small business, or serving in the state legislature, I've always focused on solving tough problems, clearing roadblocks, and helping others succeed," said Braun. "In Congress, I'll bring that same approach—working to lower costs for families, support American manufacturing, and expand opportunities for family-wage jobs here at home."
Braun served in the U.S. Navy for 31 years, including both active and reserve duty, rising from Ensign to the rank of Captain. His last assignment was as the Director of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force Reserve Component.
"Members of Congress take an oath to defend our country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I take that oath seriously. I'll work to secure our borders and maintain a strong national defense—because peace is best preserved through strength."
Braun has served as a part-time citizen legislator in the Washington State Senate since 2013. In 2017, he wrote a bipartisan, balanced state budget that provided essential services without raising taxes. In 2020, he was chosen by his peers to serve as Senate Republican Leader, where he led efforts to promote fiscal responsibility, improve education, and support working families.
"I know how to fight bad policy—and how to craft good policy that makes a difference for people here in Southwest Washington. I look forward to working with President Trump on a positive agenda that gets America back on the right track."
Braun's campaign is already off to a fast start, having secured the endorsements of both Congressman Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) and former Clark County state Senator and Clark County Republican Party Chair Lynda Wilson (R-Vancouver).
"I know John Braun well from our time working together in the state Senate," said Baumgartner. "He is a highly intelligent, strong conservative who would make an outstanding member of Congress. I'm proud to endorse him."
"John Braun is a man of unwavering honesty and integrity," said Lynda Wilson. "He understands the unique character of Southwest Washington and the values we hold dear. I trust him to fight for us and lead with principle. He has my full and enthusiastic endorsement."
Braun and his wife, Marlo, have been married for 37 years and live on a small farm outside Centralia. They have four successful adult children, three of whom have served or are serving as officers in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps.