John Braun

John Braun
Braun in 2020
Minority Leader of the Washington State Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 30, 2020
Preceded byMark Schoesler
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 20th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 23, 2017
Preceded byMarlo Braun
In office
January 14, 2013 – July 18, 2017
Preceded byDan Swecker
Succeeded byMarlo Braun
Personal details
BornJohn Eric Braun
(1967-01-16) January 16, 1967 (age 59)
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
PartyRepublican
SpouseMarlo Braun
Children4
EducationUniversity of Washington (BS)
University of Michigan (MS, MBA)
Signature
WebsiteOfficial website

John Eric Braun (born January 16, 1967) is an American politician and former Navy captain from Washington. A Republican, Braun is in the Washington State Senate, representing the 20th legislative district. He serves as the Minority Leader of the Washington State Senate.

Early life, education, and military service

John Braun was born on January 16, 1967, in Columbus, Ohio. He grew up in Ohio and attended the University of Washington on a U.S. Naval ROTC scholarship. He graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He then served seven years on active duty with the United States Navy.

Following active service with the Navy, Braun earned his Master of Business Administration degree and Master of Science in manufacturing engineering from the University of Michigan in 1999.

Business career

Braun serves as president of Braun Northwest, a family-owned emergency vehicle manufacturer founded in 1986, which serves emergency response agencies across the western United States.

Political career

In 2012, Braun ran in a three-way all-Republican primary versus the incumbent state senator Dan Swecker and employment specialist and former substitute teacher Rae Lowery. In the primary, Braun received 40.33 percent of the vote to Swecker's 46.97 percent, and went on to defeat Swecker in the general election with 55.43 percent of the vote.

Braun is considered a moderate or conservative Republican, and is affiliated with the Mainstream Republicans of Washington.

Braun has frequently crossed party lines in the Washington State legislature and is credited with having created a friendly "culture of collaboration" between Democrats and Republicans, with party line votes being "the exception, not the rule" as described by Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig. He maintains a close friendship with both Billig and Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate Denny Heck.

Legislative leadership and committees

Braun was a member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

In November 2020, Braun was elected Washington Senate Minority Leader by members of the Republican caucus. Braun has served as the minority leader since the start of the 2021–2022 legislative session. His appointment of former state Senator Joe Fain to the Washington State Redistricting Commission in 2021 attracted controversy due to allegations of sexual assault against the latter.

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck credited Bruan and Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig with helping to engender a "culture of collaboration" between Democrats and Republicans in the State Senate.

As Minority Leader, Braun supported a primary challenge to right-wing Senator Jim McCune in 2024.

2026 U.S. House campaign

In August 2025, Braun announced that he would be running for U.S. House in Washington's 3rd congressional district in 2026.

Personal life

Braun lives on a small farm in rural Centralia with his wife and four children. He is the president of Braun Northwest, a Chehalis-based company that manufactures emergency vehicles that is owned by the family. The company has 300 employees and has been the site of several workplace safety incidents, including the accidental death of an employee in 2024. Braun Northwest was also fined by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries in 2025 for violations of child labor laws concerning hazardous equipment.

Awards

References

  1. ↑ Press, Rachel La Corte, The Associated (2017-07-18). "Wife of senator on military duty to fill in for him in Washington state Senate". Navy Times. Retrieved 2026-10-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ "Ambulance maker had long road back home to Chehalis". The Chronicle (Centralia, WA). 2005-06-27. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-01-11. Retrieved 2012-12-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ "Senator John Braun Political Summary - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. 2012-01-01. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  5. ↑ "2019-2020 Legislative Manual" (PDF). State of Washington. 2019. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  6. ↑ "About". Braun Northwest. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  7. ↑ "Candidates". Weiapplets.sos.wa.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  8. ↑ "Legislative District 20 - State Senator". Vote.wa.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  9. ↑ "Legislative District 20 - State Senator". Vote.wa.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  10. ↑ Fuentes, Carlos (2026-10-01). "One of the nation's most competitive congressional races is in the PNW — and coming down to the wire, poll shows". oregonlive. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  11. ↑ "New GOP leader in Washington's state Senate wears a lot of hats". Cascade PBS. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  12. ↑ "About". Mainstream Republicans of Washington. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Bipartisanship rises in Washington Legislature". Spokesman.com. Mar 31, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  14. ↑ "About". John Braun. 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  15. ↑ "WA state Sen. Schoesler steps down as minority leader, Sen. Braun assumes role". MyNorthwest.com. 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  16. ↑ Fitzgerald, Celene. "Centralia Republican John Braun Elected to Serve as Senate Minority Leader". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  17. ↑ "Groups denounce selection of Joe Fain to redistricting commission". Cascade PBS. 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  18. ↑ Brunner, Jim (2021-04-05). "Controversy reignites over past rape allegation after Washington GOP leader picks former Sen. Joe Fain for panel | The Seattle Times". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
  19. ↑ Cornfield, Jerry (August 9, 2024). "Republican fault lines on display in WA legislative races • Washington State Standard". Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  20. ↑ "State Sen. John Braun will challenge U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez". The Seattle Times. 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  21. ↑ "State Senator - Legislative District 20". Vote.wa.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  22. ↑ Kaur, Anumita (October 19, 2026). "In tight WA House race, sparks fly over safety at challenger's business". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
  23. ↑ Roundy, Myla S. (October 19, 2026). "Inside a Republican's business safety record, under scrutiny in key House race". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
  24. ↑ "69 Lawmakers Win Main Street's Highest Award". Nfib.com. May 12, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2021.