The state income tax
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”
Source: John Braun for Congress
What the record shows ·
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.
Sources: Washington State Legislature, Washington State Legislature, Washington State Legislature, Washington State Legislature, Washington State Legislature
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.