Leadership Blog

In the News

AUDIO/PHOTOS: Sens. Mark Schoesler, Nikki Torres, and Perry Dozier on KONA Radio

Published on May 16, 2025
Senators Mark Schoesler, Nikki Torres, and Perry Dozier discuss the latest budget decisions, tax policies, and housing challenges impacting Eastern Washington. They highlight bipartisan efforts, concerns over rising costs, and the potential for a special legislative session. LISTEN  
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AUDIO: Braun: Tragic fentanyl-related death of Puyallup child shows continued need for stronger child-endangerment laws

Published on May 13, 2025
A five-year-old Puyallup boy died from fentanyl exposure in his own home—a tragedy the State Senate Republican Leader says should never happen. Tracy Ellis reports.
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AUDIO: Sen. John Braun Talks Budget, Campus Protests & Leadership with KVI’s Ari Hoffman

Published on May 08, 2025
On KVI, Sen. John Braun joins Ari Hoffman to discuss Washington’s budget concerns, campus protests at UW, and Democratic silence on antisemitism. He critiques overspending, calls for accountability, and urges leadership to address rising tensions. A candid conversation on pressing state issues.
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AUDIO: Sen. John Braun Discusses Washington’s Budget and Tax Hikes on The Lars Larson Show

Published on May 08, 2025
Sen. John Braun joins Lars Larson to analyze Washington’s budget decisions, tax hikes, and Gov. Ferguson’s stance. He critiques spending habits, warns of economic risks, and urges fiscal responsibility. Will the governor veto or sign these controversial measures?
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Braun praises UW officials for response to protests, calls for prosecutions

Published on May 06, 2025
Monday’s protest at the University of Washington took a dangerous turn as demonstrators occupied a campus building, set fires, and barricaded entrances. The State Senate Republican leader says it can’t be tolerated. Tracy Ellis reports.
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News from the Caucus

May 13, 2025
Curtis King

Braun: Tragic fentanyl-related death of Puyallup child shows continued need for stronger child-endangerment laws

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement today after the Pierce County medical examiner found the March death of a 5-year-old Puyallup boy was caused by acute fentanyl toxicity. The boy’s mother was arrested and  appeared in court yesterday on a charge of first-degree manslaughter after allegedly exposing him to the...
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May 07, 2025
John Braun

Braun: UW protests escalate into targeted harassment, criminal behavior

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement today in response to escalating violence and harassment during protests at the University of Washington: “The events unfolding at the University of Washington have crossed every line of decency and legality. Last night, protesters threw human feces at attendees of a Turning Point USA...
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April 17, 2025
John Braun

House Democrats fumble justice-reform bill, leaving juvenile-justice facilities in crisis

OLYMPIA… On the final day for Senate bills to be considered by the House of Representatives, the majority Democrats in the House — including the Speaker of the House — fumbled a critical opportunity to alleviate dangerous overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities, leaving both residents and staff members in crisis. Senate Republican Leader John Braun,...
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March 11, 2025
John Braun

Senate Unanimously Passes Braun Bill to Improve Safety, Reduce Overcrowding in Juvenile Facilities

OLYMPIA – Legislation from Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, to address overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities and improve safety for both staff and inmates was passed by the Senate unanimously today. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 5278 responds to ongoing issues at institutions like Green Hill School in...
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February 13, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: The week ahead in the Legislature Feb. 17-21

TESTIFY FOR EMERGENCY POWERS REFORM TOMORROW State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections 10:30 a.m. in Senate Hearing Room 2 John A. Cherberg Building Capitol Campus, Olympia HOW TO TESTIFY A bill to reform gubernatorial emergency powers will receive a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. in the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee. Senate...
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January 23, 2025
Jeff Holy

Senate panel passes Holy bill to help hire more law-enforcement officers

A bipartisan bill prime-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Holy to increase public safety by boosting the number of law-enforcement officers in Washington communities was approved by the Senate Law and Justice Committee today. Senate Bill 5060 would have the state Criminal Justice Training Commission develop and implement a grant program to help local and tribal governments...
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April 26, 2024
John Braun

Infant fentanyl overdoses warrant felony charges, says Braun

CENTRALIA…Three infants in the Everett area overdosed on fentanyl over four days this week, including a 13-month-old who died. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, shared the following reaction to these preventable tragedies. “It’s completely indefensible when an infant or child gets sick or dies because someone in the household is using deadly drugs such...
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April 15, 2024
John Braun

Right to protest does not include blocking airport access, says Braun

CENTRALIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released the following statement following the anti-Israel protest that blocked access to SeaTac Airport for several hours today. “People have the right to peaceably protest, but they don’t have the right to put themselves and drivers at risk by blocking access to our busiest airport. I understand that...
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April 03, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Braun: Retiring Sen. Mike Padden Legislature’s strongest advocate of public safety

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, shared the following sentiments after an announcement by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, saying he will not seek reelection to the 4th District Senate seat he has held since 2011. Sen. Padden is currently the lead Republican on the Senate Law & Justice Committee. He was previously the chair...
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October 24, 2023
John Braun

Broken Inslee promise stalls behavioral-health treatment facility

CENTRALIA… Efforts to build a behavioral-health treatment facility in Lewis County are being pushed back another six months by what Lewis County lawmakers say is another broken promise from Gov. Jay Inslee’s administration. Sen. John Braun and Rep. Peter Abbarno, both R-Centralia, are particularly frustrated because the governor’s office assured them an important cost-saving change...
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May 16, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Legislature passes ‘workable’ drug-possession compromise

OLYMPIA…The Washington State Legislature passed a compromise bill on the possession of hard drugs such as fentanyl today during a one-day special session. Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary provided the following comments in response: “This bill isn’t perfect, but it is a strong step in the right direction and...
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May 02, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: Republican leader cautious about drug-law ‘special’ session

CENTRALIA… State lawmakers have been called into a special session to continue work toward a new state law on the possession of controlled substances, after failing to come to an agreement before the regular legislative session ended April 23. Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this comment following Gov. Jay Inslee’s proclamation that the Legislature...
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