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Candidate record

John Braun

Washington State Senator for the 20th Legislative District and the Senate Republican Leader. Campaign affiliation: Republican.

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Voter guide

Background, stated goals, record, and money

Goals come from the campaign's own platform. Record lines are official actions.

How this guide is built

Background comes from official records, and from the campaign's own biography where the bullet says so; goals are summarized from the campaign's own platform and stay attributed; the record lines are official actions with the government source attached; money is shown as filed, with the filings it covers in the note under the table, and is not evidence of why any position was taken.

John Braun

Background

  • Washington State Senator for the 20th Legislative District and the Senate Republican Leader, according to the Legislature's leadership page. His caucus re-elected him leader on December 10, 2024.
  • The Legislature's sponsor roster first lists him as the 20th district's senator in the 2013-14 biennium, consistent with his campaign's statement that he was first elected in 2012.
  • His Senate biography says he served on active duty in the Navy. His campaign says he served 31 years, seven on active duty and the rest in the Reserve, retiring as a captain after directing the submarine force's reserve component.
  • His campaign says he is president of Braun Northwest, the emergency-vehicle maker in Chehalis his family founded in 1986, with 350 employees.
  • He placed first in the August 4, 2026 top-two primary with 85,064 votes, which puts his name first on the November ballot.

What they say they want to do

  • Border barriers completed, more agents hired and equipped, asylum rules tightened, and cartel supply chains pursued.
  • Lower prices through cutting wasteful federal spending and reducing red tape on small manufacturers.
  • A federal Parents Bill of Rights.
  • Energy from every market source, hydropower, solar, oil, natural gas and nuclear, with no return to dependence on foreign suppliers.
  • More money for removing sea lions that prey on Columbia River salmon, and for hatcheries, culverts and habitat.

What the official record shows

  • Jun 29, 2015 Prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5954, "Reducing tuition", which the Senate passed 48 to 0 and the House 98 to 0; it became Chapter 36, Laws of 2015, 3rd Special Session.
  • Jun 30, 2017 Sole sponsor of Substitute Senate Bill 5883, the 2017-19 operating budget, which passed the Senate 39 to 10 with his Yea and became Chapter 1, Laws of 2017, 3rd Special Session.
  • Apr 18, 2023 Voted Nay on final passage of House Bill 1240, the 2023 assault-weapons ban, which passed the Senate 28 to 21 and became Chapter 162, Laws of 2023.
  • Apr 24, 2025 Voted Nay on final passage of Senate Bill 5814, which extended sales tax to selected services; it passed 26 to 22 and became Chapter 422, Laws of 2025.
  • Feb 16, 2026 Voted Nay on Senate passage of Senate Bill 6346, the tax on income above one million dollars, which passed 27 to 22 and became Chapter 238, Laws of 2026.

Campaign money from other committees, by type

Transfers and contributions from joint fundraising committees 4 committees$174,972
Leadership PACs 37 committees$142,170
House 19 committees$51,000
PAC - Qualified 12 committees$40,000
Trade Association PACs 4 committees$16,000
Hybrid PAC (with Non-Contribution Account) - Qualified 2 committees$10,000
Corporation PACs 3 committees$8,500
PAC - Nonqualified 2 committees$4,500
Membership Organization PACs 1 committee$2,500
Committees the FEC records no type for 1 committee$175

Source: Federal Election Commission

Receipts from political committees on lines 11B (party committees), 11C (other political committees) and 12 (transfers from joint fundraising committees) of his committee's 2025-2026 cycle filings through July 15, 2026, grouped by the FEC's recorded organization type or designation of the giving committee. There are no line 11B receipts. The joint fundraising row is $169,972.49 reported on line 12 plus $5,000 a joint fundraising committee gave on line 11C; the other rows, $274,845.01, are the rest of line 11C. Each line's itemized rows sum to the committee's own summary total for that line to the cent, and the table totals $449,817.50. Memo entries are left out because they restate money counted elsewhere: 78 on line 12 itemize what the joint fundraising committees passed on, and 16 on line 11C. Not in the table: contributions from individuals, including any made through WinRed or ActBlue, which are individual contributions and not committee money. The rows sum to 449,817.50 dollars.

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Words and record

What they say, and what the record shows

Each card gets one label from a fixed list and states its own limit.

John Braun

The College Affordability Program

Matches stated record claim

What they say

His campaign says he authored the College Affordability Program, which it calls the largest cut to public university tuition in the nation.

What the record shows · Jun 30, 2015

He was prime sponsor of the 2015 tuition bill, which passed the Senate 48 to 0 and the House 98 to 0 in its final votes; whether it was the nation's largest cut is not tested.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says he authored the College Affordability Program, which it calls the largest cut to public university tuition in the nation.

“I authored the College Affordability Program—the largest cuts to public university tuition in the nation”

What the record shows · Jun 30, 2015

Senate Bill 5954 of 2015, titled "Reducing tuition", names him as its prime sponsor, first of seventeen senators. The Senate passed it three times that year, the last on June 29 by 48 to 0, with his Yea each time; the House passed it 98 to 0 the next day, and it became Chapter 36, Laws of 2015, 3rd Special Session.

Limit: The record settles authorship and enactment. It does not settle the superlative: no legislature publishes a ranking of tuition cuts across the states, and his biography words it differently again, as "the first and largest". Testing it would take national tuition data for a defined year and sector, which this desk has not read. Sixteen other senators sponsored the bill with him.

John Braun

The 2017-19 state budget

Matches stated record claim

What they say

His campaign says that as chairman of Senate Ways & Means he led the 2017-19 operating budget, and that it achieved full state funding of basic education under the McCleary ruling while cutting property taxes for 73 percent of Washington residents.

What the record shows · Jun 30, 2017

He was the only sponsor of the 2017 budget bill and chaired Ways & Means; the McCleary and property-tax results his campaign cites are not tested here.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says that as chairman of Senate Ways & Means he led the 2017-19 operating budget, and that it achieved full state funding of basic education under the McCleary ruling while cutting property taxes for 73 percent of Washington residents.

“as chairman of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, he led the 2017–19 state operating budget”

What the record shows · Jun 30, 2017

Substitute Senate Bill 5883, the operating budget for the 2015-17 and 2017-19 biennia, lists him as its only sponsor. The Ways & Means Committee's report on the bill lists him as its chair. The Senate passed it 39 to 10 on June 30, 2017, with his Yea; the House passed it 70 to 23 the same day, and it became Chapter 1, Laws of 2017, 3rd Special Session.

Limit: Sponsorship of the budget bill is what "led" can be checked against, and it holds. The results the campaign attaches are not tested here. Whether the state met its McCleary duty was for the state Supreme Court to decide, and its orders were not read for this desk. The 73 percent figure was not traced to any official source, and this desk has not established which bill's property-tax changes it measures.

John Braun

The 2023 assault-weapons ban

Matches stated direction

What they say

His campaign says that in his legislative races he opposed Olympia's 2023 rifle ban, because it punishes the law-abiding and does not target criminals.

What the record shows · Apr 18, 2023

He voted against the 2023 ban, House Bill 1240, both times it passed the state Senate in April 2023.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says that in his legislative races he opposed Olympia's 2023 rifle ban, because it punishes the law-abiding and does not target criminals.

“In my legislative races I opposed Olympia's 2023 rifle ban because it punishes the law-abiding and doesn't target criminals.”

What the record shows · Apr 18, 2023

The 2023 ban is House Bill 1240, which became Chapter 162, Laws of 2023. He voted Nay on its Senate final passage on April 8, 2023, when it passed 27 to 21, and Nay again on April 18, when the Senate receded from its first amendments and passed it 28 to 21.

Limit: His sentence is about his campaigns; the record is his votes in office, which are the stronger evidence of opposition. Two votes on one bill are not a record on firearms generally.

John Braun

The 2021 capital gains tax

Matches stated direction

What they say

His campaign says that as Senate Republican Leader he opposed the 2021 capital gains tax.

What the record shows · Apr 25, 2021

He voted against it both times it passed the Senate 25 to 24, offered three amendments that failed, and spoke against it on the floor.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says that as Senate Republican Leader he opposed the 2021 capital gains tax.

“opposing the 2021 capital gains tax”

What the record shows · Apr 25, 2021

Senate Bill 5096, the capital gains excise tax, passed the Senate 25 to 24 on March 6, 2021, and its conference report passed by the same margin on April 25. He voted Nay both times. On March 6 the Senate Journal records him moving three floor amendments, numbers 431, 432 and 434, none of which was adopted, and lists him among sixteen senators who spoke against passage. It became Chapter 196, Laws of 2021.

Limit: The roll calls and the Journal show his votes, his amendments and that he spoke against the bill. They do not show caucus strategy or anything he did off the floor.

John Braun

The state income tax

Matches stated direction

What they say

His campaign says he led floor opposition to the 2025 income tax, warning that once the door was opened it would inevitably expand to all residents.

What the record shows · Mar 11, 2026

He voted against the millionaires' tax, offered an amendment and spoke against it, though it passed in 2026, not 2025, and other senators opposed it too.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says he led floor opposition to the 2025 income tax, warning that once the door was opened it would inevitably expand to all residents.

“leading floor opposition to the 2025 income tax”

What the record shows · Mar 11, 2026

The income tax the Legislature passed is Senate Bill 6346, titled "Tax on millionaires", in the 2026 session. On February 16, 2026 the Senate Journal records him moving his own floor amendment, number 692, which failed on a voice vote, speaking for other amendments to the bill, and speaking against passage. He voted Yea on three amendments that failed on roll calls, and Nay on Senate passage, which carried 27 to 22. On March 11 the Journal lists him among ten senators who spoke against concurring in the House amendments; he voted Nay on concurrence and on final passage, each carried 27 to 21. It became Chapter 238, Laws of 2026.

Limit: His votes and the Journal match the opposition he describes. The year does not: the campaign dates the income tax to 2025, and the one in the record passed in the 2026 session. This desk reads that as a misdated reference to the same bill and has put the reading to the owner. The Journal shows him offering an amendment and speaking against the bill, alongside other Republican senators who did the same; whether he led the opposition is a characterization it does not settle.

John Braun

Fentanyl and endangered children

Matches stated record claim

What they say

His campaign says he championed legislation to create criminal penalties when children are harmed by fentanyl exposure, and that it passed the Senate with bipartisan votes four years running.

What the record shows · Jan 21, 2026

The Senate passed it with votes from both parties in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, but it died in the House each year, and he was prime sponsor only in 2025 and 2026.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says he championed legislation to create criminal penalties when children are harmed by fentanyl exposure, and that it passed the Senate with bipartisan votes four years running.

“legislation to create criminal penalties when children are harmed by fentanyl exposure (passed the Senate bipartisanly four years running)”

What the record shows · Jan 21, 2026

Two bills carried it. Senate Bill 5010, with Senator Lynda Wilson as prime sponsor and him fourth of fifteen sponsors, passed the Senate 47 to 0 on March 1, 2023 and 48 to 1 on January 24, 2024. Senate Bill 5071, with him as prime sponsor and Democratic Senator Manka Dhingra second, passed 42 to 7 on February 5, 2025 and 40 to 9 on January 21, 2026; Senator Dhingra voted Yea all four times. Each year the House referred it to committee and it went no further.

Limit: Exact on Senate passage, on the four years, and on votes from both parties. Neither bill became law, which the campaign acknowledges in saying these causes struggled for traction in the House; the 2023 bill did get a House committee hearing on March 14, 2023. The bills extend an existing crime, endangerment with a controlled substance, to fentanyl and synthetic opioids. On the first bill he was a cosponsor rather than its author.

John Braun

Nuclear power

Matches stated direction

What they say

His campaign says he will champion market-based energy production, including hydropower, solar, oil, natural gas and nuclear power.

What the record shows · Jan 16, 2026

He sponsored a 2026 state bill for a nuclear power plan that had a hearing and no vote; his record on the other sources was not checked.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says he will champion market-based energy production, including hydropower, solar, oil, natural gas and nuclear power.

“I'll champion market-based production including hydropower, solar, oil, natural gas and nuclear power.”

What the record shows · Jan 16, 2026

He is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5821, filed for Washington's 2026 session. It would have the state Commerce Department, if it gets outside funding, write a nuclear power plan for the state energy strategy by December 15, 2026. It had a committee hearing on January 16, 2026, and its history shows no later action.

Limit: This card covers nuclear power only; his record on the other four sources he names was not searched. The bill never reached a vote.

John Braun

Suspending the state gas tax

Matches stated record claim

What they say

In the October 7 KOIN 6 debate, asked about pausing the federal gas tax, Braun said he would vote for it and that he has sponsored a bill to get rid of the state gas tax for a time when prices were high.

What the record shows · Feb 23, 2023

He cosponsored 2022 and 2023 bills to stop the state fuel tax through the end of each year, but neither got a hearing or a vote.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

In the October 7 KOIN 6 debate, asked about pausing the federal gas tax, Braun said he would vote for it and that he has sponsored a bill to get rid of the state gas tax for a time when prices were high.

What the record shows · Feb 23, 2023

He was one of nine sponsors of Senate Bill 5897 in 2022 and one of seventeen on Senate Bill 5756 in 2023. Each would have stopped the state fuel tax through the end of that year, citing high gas prices. Senators Sefzik and Muzzall were the prime sponsors. Neither went past its first referral to the Senate Transportation Committee.

Limit: He was a cosponsor, not the prime sponsor; the site counts both. Neither bill had a hearing or a vote.

John Braun

His votes on AI chatbots and children

Record does not bear out the claim

What they say

In the October 7 KOIN 6 debate, Braun said his opponent described a vote that never happened and a nonexistent bill on AI and children. He cited a bipartisan bill to prevent AI exploitation of children that passed both chambers unanimously.

What the record shows · Mar 6, 2026

In 2026, Braun voted Nay on HB 2225 (Senate 43–5, March 6) and SB 5984 (Senate 38–11, February 12). HB 2225 requires AI companion chatbot operators to take reasonable measures against sexually explicit content or sexually suggestive dialogue with minors when they know a user is a minor or the chatbot targets minors. It takes effect January 1, 2027. He voted Yea on SB 5105, a separate bill addressing fabricated depictions of minors (Senate 49–0; House 93–0).

Limit: SB 5105 fits his unanimous-bill account. The chatbot bills also cover disclosure, manipulative design and suicide protocols; reasonable safeguards do not guarantee results. Votes establish neither his reasons nor his opponent's campaign-donation allegation.

John Braun

County stewardship of federal roadside land

Matches stated record claim

What they say

Braun said he ran a state bill for local management of federal forests.

What the record shows · Jan 20, 2026

Braun sponsored a bill for county-federal roadside fuel-break agreements and timber-revenue sharing; it stayed in committee.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

Braun said he ran a state bill for local management of federal forests.

What the record shows · Jan 20, 2026

He sponsored SB6242 in January 2026. It proposed county-federal agreements to manage roadside fuel breaks, with counties retaining timber-sale proceeds.

Limit: It did not leave committee or transfer control of national forests to counties.

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Issues in this record

Follow the evidence by issue.

Costs, taxes and the economyThe border, drugs and public safetyEnergy and climateSchools, college and job trainingAbortionGunsMoney and ethics in Congress

Evidence timeline

Dated records, with sources attached.

  1. Occurred Aug 4, 2026

    race event

    Top-two primary

    Braun placed first with 85,064 votes and Gluesenkamp Perez second with 78,025, of 214,491 cast. Both advance to the November 3 general election, with Braun listed first.

  2. Occurred Jul 23, 2026

    race event

    Pre-primary reports filed

    Both principal campaign committees filed pre-primary reports covering July 1 to July 15, 2026, the most recent period both have reported.

  3. Through Jul 15, 2026

    finance

    FEC filing snapshot

    Pre-Primary 2026, principal campaign committee JOHN BRAUN FOR CONGRESS.

  4. Occurred Mar 11, 2026

    race event

    The Legislature passes the income tax

    The Senate gave Senate Bill 6346 final passage 27 to 21, with Braun voting Nay. It became Chapter 238, Laws of 2026.

  5. Occurred Jun 30, 2017

    race event

    The 2017-19 operating budget passes

    Both chambers passed Substitute Senate Bill 5883, of which Braun was the sole sponsor, on the same day.

  6. Occurred Jun 30, 2015

    race event

    The tuition bill passes the Legislature

    The House passed Senate Bill 5954 98 to 0, a day after the Senate passed it 48 to 0. Braun was its prime sponsor. It became Chapter 36, Laws of 2015, 3rd Special Session.

See something wrong or incomplete? Report it for review.

Sources51 source records

How we use sources

  1. Senate leadershiphttps://leg.wa.gov/about-the-legislature/senate/leadership/

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The Legislature's own leadership page, which lists John Braun, 20th district, as Republican Leader. Used for his current office. How and by what vote the caucus chose him is not on this page.

    official office record

    For: Current role; Background, goals, record and campaign money

  2. MacEwen chosen deputy leader of Senate Republican Caucushttps://drewmacewen.src.wastateleg.org/macewen-chosen-deputy-leader-senate-republican-caucus/

    Washington State Senate Republican Caucus · Published Dec 12, 2024 · Reviewed Sep 24, 2026

    The caucus release of December 12, 2024. It lists Braun among the leaders elected or re-elected on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. It gives no vote count.

    official office record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money

  3. Legislative sponsors, 2013-14 bienniumhttps://wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov/SponsorService.asmx/GetSponsors?biennium=2013-14

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The Legislature's web service roster of members who can sponsor bills. It lists him (member 17289) as the Senate's 20th district member in 2013-14; the 2011-12 roster does not list him. Used for when he took his seat.

    official office record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money

  4. About John Braunhttps://www.votebraun.com/about

    John Braun for Congress · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign-controlled source, used for his biography and for the record claims on this page: the tuition program, the 2017-19 budget, the capital gains and income tax opposition, and the fentanyl bills. His Navy rank and years of service are his campaign's account; no Navy record was read.

    candidate statement

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; The College Affordability Program; The 2017-19 state budget; The 2021 capital gains tax; The state income tax; Fentanyl and endangered children

  5. About John Braunhttps://johnbraun.src.wastateleg.org/about/

    Washington State Senate Republican Caucus · Reviewed Sep 24, 2026

    His official Senate biography, undated. It says he served on active duty in the Navy. It gives no rank or length of service.

    official office record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money

  6. August 4, 2026 primary, U.S. Representative, Congressional District 3https://results.votewa.gov/results/public/washington/elections/20260804

    Washington Secretary of State · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Official results, marked final by the Secretary of State and last updated September 11, 2026, read through the results site's own data service. John Braun 85,064 and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez 78,025 of 214,491 votes; seven other candidates and write-ins. Washington's top-two primary sends both to the November ballot.

    official election record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Top-two primary

  7. RCW 29A.36.170, general election ballot orderhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=29A.36.170

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    State law putting the primary's first-place finisher first on the general election ballot. Used for the order in which this desk lists the candidates.

    official election record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Top-two primary

  8. Where I Stand: Issueshttps://www.votebraun.com/issues

    John Braun for Congress · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign-controlled source setting out nine subjects. Three of its sentences are about his opponent's votes; a claim about an opponent is outside what this site checks, and those sentences are not used.

    candidate statement

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; The College Affordability Program; The 2023 assault-weapons ban; Nuclear power

  9. SB 5954, 2015-16, Reducing tuition: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5954&Year=2015

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Sponsor list (Braun first of seventeen) and full history, ending in Chapter 36, Laws of 2015, 3rd Special Session.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; The College Affordability Program; The tuition bill passes the Legislature

  10. SB 5954, 2015-16: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2015-16&billNumber=5954&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The Legislature's roll-call page for the bill: three Senate final-passage votes in 2015 and the House vote of June 30, 2015. The Legislature's web service carries no roll calls; this page does.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; The College Affordability Program; The tuition bill passes the Legislature

  11. SB 5883, 2017-18, operating budget: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5883&Year=2017

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Sponsor (Braun alone) and history, ending in Chapter 1, Laws of 2017, 3rd Special Session.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; The 2017-19 state budget

  12. SB 5883, 2017-18: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2017-18&billNumber=5883&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Senate and House final-passage votes of June 30, 2017.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; The 2017-19 state budget; The 2017-19 operating budget passes

  13. HB 1240, 2023-24, assault weapons: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1240&Year=2023

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    History of the 2023 firearms bill, including the Senate's second passage after it receded from its first amendments, and Chapter 162, Laws of 2023.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; The 2023 assault-weapons ban

  14. HB 1240, 2023-24: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2023-24&billNumber=1240&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Every recorded vote on the bill, amendments included. The final-passage rolls are the ones cited; amendment rolls are not.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; The 2023 assault-weapons ban

  15. SB 5814, 2025-26, excise taxes: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5814&Year=2025

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The 2025 bill extending sales tax to selected services, Chapter 422, Laws of 2025.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money

  16. SB 5814, 2025-26: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2025-26&billNumber=5814&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Senate passage of April 19, 2025 and final passage as amended by the House on April 24, 2025.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money

  17. SB 6346, 2025-26, tax on millionaires: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6346&Year=2026

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    History of the income tax passed in the 2026 session, ending in Chapter 238, Laws of 2026.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; The state income tax; The Legislature passes the income tax

  18. SB 6346, 2025-26: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2025-26&billNumber=6346&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Senate passage of February 16, 2026 and final passage as amended by the House on March 11, 2026.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; The state income tax; The Legislature passes the income tax

  19. JOHN BRAUN FOR CONGRESS, receipts from committees, lines 11B, 11C and 12https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?committee_id=C00915884&two_year_transaction_period=2026

    Federal Election Commission · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Read from OpenFEC on September 23, 2026 by line: no rows on line 11B, 109 on line 11C (16 memo) and 84 on line 12 (78 memo). Each line's itemized total equals the committee's own summary total to the cent.

    fec filing

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money

  20. Senate Bill Report, SB 5883, as reported by Ways & Means, June 30, 2017 (document)

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The Senate committee's report on the budget bill. Its majority report is signed first by "Senators Braun, Chair". Used for his chairmanship of Ways & Means.

    official legislative record

    For: The 2017-19 state budget

  21. SB 5096, 2021-22, capital gains tax: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5096&Year=2021

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    History of the capital gains excise tax, ending in Chapter 196, Laws of 2021.

    official legislative record

    For: The 2021 capital gains tax

  22. SB 5096, 2021-22: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2021-22&billNumber=5096&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Senate passage of March 6, 2021 and the conference report of April 25, 2021, both 25 to 24.

    official legislative record

    For: The 2021 capital gains tax

  23. Senate Journal, 2021 regular session, volume 1 (document)

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Includes the fifty-fifth day, March 6, 2021, when the Senate passed SB 5096: each amendment, who moved it, and who spoke for and against passage.

    official legislative record

    For: The 2021 capital gains tax

  24. Amendments offered in the 2021 sessionhttps://wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov/AmendmentService.asmx/GetAmendments?year=2021

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The Legislature's web service list of every amendment offered in 2021, with its sponsor and floor action. Used for his floor amendments 431, 432 and 434 to SB 5096.

    official legislative record

    For: The 2021 capital gains tax

  25. Senate Journal, thirty-sixth day, February 16, 2026 (document)

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The Senate's own record of the floor session in which it passed SB 6346: each amendment, who moved it, who spoke for and against it, and who spoke for and against passage.

    official legislative record

    For: The state income tax

  26. Senate Journal, fifty-ninth day, March 11, 2026 (document)

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The Senate's record of the session in which it concurred in the House amendments to SB 6346 and gave it final passage, with the senators who spoke for and against concurring.

    official legislative record

    For: The state income tax

  27. Amendments offered in the 2026 sessionhttps://wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov/AmendmentService.asmx/GetAmendments?year=2026

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The Legislature's web service list of every amendment offered in 2026, with its sponsor and floor action. Used for his floor amendment 692 to SB 6346.

    official legislative record

    For: The state income tax

  28. SB 5010, 2023-24, synthetic opioids and endangerment: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5010&Year=2023

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Sponsor list (Senator Lynda Wilson first, Braun fourth of fifteen) and history: Senate passage in 2023 and 2024, a House hearing on March 14, 2023, and return to the Senate Rules Committee each year.

    official legislative record

    For: Fentanyl and endangered children

  29. SB 5010, 2023-24: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2023-24&billNumber=5010&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Senate final-passage votes of March 1, 2023 (47 to 0) and January 24, 2024 (48 to 1).

    official legislative record

    For: Fentanyl and endangered children

  30. SB 5071, 2025-26, controlled substance endangerment: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5071&Year=2025

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Sponsor list (Braun first of twelve) and history: Senate passage in 2025 and 2026, referral to the House Community Safety committee each year, and return to the Senate Rules Committee.

    official legislative record

    For: Fentanyl and endangered children

  31. SB 5071, 2025-26: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2025-26&billNumber=5071&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Senate final-passage votes of February 5, 2025 (42 to 7) and January 21, 2026 (40 to 9).

    official legislative record

    For: Fentanyl and endangered children

  32. Legislative sponsors, 2025-26 bienniumhttps://wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov/SponsorService.asmx/GetSponsors?biennium=2025-26

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The same roster for the current biennium, used for the party of senators named on the fentanyl card.

    official office record

    For: Fentanyl and endangered children

  33. SB 5821, 2025-26, advanced nuclear energy: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5821&Year=2025

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 25, 2026

    Sponsor list (Braun first of fourteen) and history: prefiled December 3, 2025, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology on January 12, 2026, public hearing January 16, 2026, no later action.

    official legislative record

    For: Nuclear power

  34. SB 5821, 2025-26, as introducedhttps://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Htm/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5821.htm

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Sep 25, 2026

    Section 2 has the Department of Commerce, if it receives outside funds, publish a nuclear power strategic framework as part of the state energy strategy by December 15, 2026.

    official legislative record

    For: Nuclear power

  35. KOIN 6 WA-03 debate, Braun on his state gas tax bill, 6:03https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY7ixWLOS8U&t=363s

    KOIN 6 · Published Oct 7, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    6:03-6:12, answering whether he would pause the federal gas tax. Paraphrased, not quoted: the only transcript is the video's English captions, with no second transcript to check the wording against.

    candidate statement

    For: Suspending the state gas tax

  36. SB 5897, 2021-22, temporary suspension of the state fuel tax: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5897&Year=2021

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Nine sponsors, Sefzik first; Braun is one of them. History: first reading and referral to Transportation on January 18, 2022, nothing after.

    official legislative record

    For: Suspending the state gas tax

  37. SB 5897, 2022 bill texthttps://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Htm/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5897.htm

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    No state fuel tax from the effective date through December 31, 2022, citing a 42 percent rise in gas prices since early 2021.

    official legislative record

    For: Suspending the state gas tax

  38. SB 5756, 2023-24, temporary suspension of the state fuel tax: bill summary and historyhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5756&Year=2023

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Seventeen sponsors, Muzzall first; Braun is one of them. History: referral to Transportation on February 23, 2023, and reintroduced in place in 2024.

    official legislative record

    For: Suspending the state gas tax

  39. SB 5756, 2023 bill texthttps://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Htm/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5756.htm

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    No state fuel tax from the effective date through December 31, 2023, citing high gas prices.

    official legislative record

    For: Suspending the state gas tax

  40. KOIN 6 WA-03 debate, Braun on the AI and children vote, 42:14https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY7ixWLOS8U&t=2534s

    KOIN 6 · Published Oct 7, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 11, 2026

    42:14–42:34; preceding criticism at 40:07–40:35. Paraphrased from KOIN's English captions and checked against a local transcription of the broadcaster's original audio on October 11.

    candidate statement

    For: His votes on AI chatbots and children

  41. HB 2225, 2025-26: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2025-26&billNumber=2225&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 11, 2026

    Senate final passage March 6, 2026, 43 to 5; Braun voted Nay with Christian, MacEwen, Schoesler and Short.

    official legislative record

    For: His votes on AI chatbots and children

  42. ESHB 2225, Chapter 168, Laws of 2026: AI companion chatbotshttps://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Htm/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/2225-S.SL.htm

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 11, 2026

    Section 4 requires operators to take reasonable steps to stop AI companion chatbots producing sexually explicit content or suggestive dialogue with minors. Signed March 24, 2026.

    official legislative record

    For: His votes on AI chatbots and children

  43. SB 5984, 2025-26: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2025-26&billNumber=5984&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 11, 2026

    Senate final passage February 12, 2026, 38 to 11; Braun voted Nay.

    official legislative record

    For: His votes on AI chatbots and children

  44. SB 5984, 2025-26, regulating AI companion chatbots: bill summaryhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5984&Year=2025

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 11, 2026

    The Senate companion of HB 2225, requested by Governor Ferguson.

    official legislative record

    For: His votes on AI chatbots and children

  45. SB 5105, 2025-26: roll callshttps://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/RollCallsOnABill/RollCall?biennium=2025-26&billNumber=5105&initiative=false

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 11, 2026

    Senate 49 to 0 on February 5, 2025 and January 28, 2026, House 93 to 0 on March 3, 2026; Braun voted Yea in the Senate both times.

    official legislative record

    For: His votes on AI chatbots and children

  46. SB 5105, 2025-26, sexually explicit depictions of minors: bill summaryhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5105&Year=2025

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 11, 2026

    Originally titled as concerning offenses involving fabricated depictions of minors. Current status: Chapter 223, Laws of 2026.

    official legislative record

    For: His votes on AI chatbots and children

  47. KATU News debate, 2026-10-13https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtDqJEAdAEs&t=2718s

    KATU News · Published Oct 13, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 29, 2026

    Paraphrase from saved native captions; timestamp links to surrounding statement.

    candidate statement

    For: County stewardship of federal roadside land

  48. SB6242 introduced text, January20,2026https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/Biennium/2025-26/Htm/Bills/Senate%20Bills/6242.htm

    Washington State Legislature · Published Jan 20, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 29, 2026

    Braun sponsors county-federal roadside fuel-break agreements with county timber-sale proceeds.

    official legislative record

    For: County stewardship of federal roadside land

  49. SB6242 official historyhttps://apps.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6242&Year=2025

    Washington State Legislature · Reviewed Oct 29, 2026

    Referred to Local Government; February2 executive session scheduled with no action. No passage or forest-control transfer.

    official legislative record

    For: County stewardship of federal roadside land

  50. JOHN BRAUN FOR CONGRESS, Pre-Primary 2026 (document)

    Federal Election Commission · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Principal campaign committee, covering the same July 1 to July 15, 2026 period, received July 23, 2026, file 2001697. His is one of four authorized committees; the other three are nominee funds and are not included.

    fec filing

    For: Pre-primary reports filed; FEC filing snapshot

  51. MARIE FOR CONGRESS, Pre-Primary 2026 (document)

    Federal Election Commission · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Principal campaign committee, covering July 1 to July 15, 2026, received July 23, 2026, file 2001655. The most recent report both committees have filed for a common period, read from OpenFEC on September 23, 2026.

    fec filing

    For: Pre-primary reports filed

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