Candidate for U.S. Representative, Washington District 3

John Braun

Republican

John Braun is the Washington State Senate Republican leader, a retired Navy submarine officer, and president of a family-owned emergency vehicle manufacturer in Chehalis. His campaign, under the slogan "Run a Tight Ship," centers on cutting federal spending, opposing tax increases, border security, and lowering costs for families.

Current or most recent role: State Senator, Washington 20th Legislative District (since 2013), and Senate Republican Leader
Hometown: Rural Lewis County, near Centralia
Campaign website: votebraun.com

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

Says he would bring the discipline of the Navy submarine force and manufacturing to federal budgets, cutting waste but not services.[1]
Says he would fight inflation by cutting regulation, expanding energy and reining in government, and opposes the nearly $12 billion in new taxes Washington's Legislature passed in 2025.[1],[2]
Says he will vote to secure the border, stop fentanyl, and support law enforcement.[1],[2]

Background

Senate Republican Leader (elected by the caucus in December 2020), Washington State Senate · 2021–present[3],[4],[6]
State Senator, 20th Legislative District, Washington State Senate · 2013–present[4],[7]
President (general manager and vice president from 1999), Braun Northwest (emergency vehicle manufacturer), Chehalis · 2006–present[3]
Submarine officer, active duty and Navy Reserve; retired as Captain and Director of the Submarine Force Reserve Component, U.S. Navy · 31 years[3]

Education

B.S., electrical engineering (1989), University of Washington[3],[4]
M.B.A. and M.S. in manufacturing engineering (1999), University of Michigan[3],[4]

Where they stand

Immigration
Supports completing border barriers, hiring more agents, deploying technology, changing asylum rules, and targeting cartel supply chains.[1],[2]
Taxes
Opposes the nearly $12 billion in new state taxes passed in 2025 and the state's new 9.9% income tax on high earners, and says he would cut wasteful federal spending.[1],[2]
Energy & Environment
Supports market-based production of hydropower, solar, oil, natural gas and nuclear power, and supports continued sea lion control and habitat funding for salmon recovery.[2]
Public Safety
Supports shutting down open-air drug markets, local camping bans when shelter is available, prosecuting fentanyl dealers, and funding detox and mental-health beds.[1],[2]
Guns
Says he will defend the Second Amendment and Washington's hunting traditions, and opposes the state's 2023 rifle ban.[2]

Voting record

A selection of notable recorded votes. Not a complete record.

Measure	Vote	Date
SB 5167 – 2025–27 state operating budget (final passage) Two-year state operating budget for fiscal years 2025–2027; passed the Senate 28–19. (Washington State Senate)	No[8]	Apr 27, 2025
SB 5814 – Excise taxes on select services (final passage) Extends state sales tax to services such as advertising, IT support, custom software and temporary staffing, and taxes synthetic nicotine products; passed the Senate 26–22. (Washington State Senate)	No[9],[12]	Apr 24, 2025
SB 5195 – 2025–27 state capital budget (final passage) Two-year state construction budget for schools, public buildings and other projects; passed the Senate 47–0. (Washington State Senate)	Yes[10]	Apr 27, 2025
SB 6346 – Tax on millionaires (final passage) Creates a 9.9% state tax on individual income above a $1 million deduction, beginning in 2028; passed the Senate 27–21. (Washington State Senate)	No[11],[13]	Mar 11, 2026