Leadership Blog

In the News

AUDIO: Braun: Corruption in race-based homeownership program exploits taxpayers, undermines public trust

Published on October 27, 2025
The state Senate Republican leader is demanding a full investigation into taxpayer money tied to a race-restricted housing program. Tracy Ellis reports.
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AUDIO: Green Hill scandal ‘a systemic failure,’ demands accountability, transparency, reform

Published on October 21, 2025
State Senate Republican Leader John Braun is demanding action after reports of staff recording sexual acts with inmates at Green Hill School. Tracy Ellis reports.
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Housing Gridlock: What’s Driving Washington’s Crisis?

Published on October 16, 2025
Senators John Braun and Chris Gildon join builder Kurt Wilson to unpack why housing is unaffordable and scarce in Washington—from rent control to red tape—and what Republicans say must change to get homes built and prices down. TRANSCRIPT Please share with your network. The more voices in the conversation, the closer we get to real...
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AUDIO: Sen. Curtis King talks paid family leave on KVI’s Morning Ride

Published on October 15, 2025
Sen. Curtis King argues the paid leave program is financially unsustainable and unfair to workers, especially lower-income earners. He opposes raising premiums and instead supports reducing benefits and tightening eligibility to control costs.
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AUDIO: Attacks on signature gatherers prompt new bill from Sen. Jeff Wilson

Published on October 03, 2025
A state senator wants to stop the increasing attacks on signature gatherers involved in initiatives and referendums, from heated arguments to physical clashes. Tracy Ellis has more.
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News from the Caucus

August 18, 2021
John Braun

Intimidating, publicly shaming those with vaccine concerns is wrong path, says Braun

Inslee’s vaccine mandate on K-12 could backfire, hurt students   OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement in response to the governor’s announcement requiring teachers and other K-12 education employees to get the COVID vaccine or risk losing their jobs and jeopardizing their district’s funding. “I am vaccinated and urge others to...
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May 13, 2021
John Braun

Republican leaders say new CDC guidance supports June 15 reopening

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican J.T. Wilcox offered this statement today after the governor announced many of his COVID-19 economic restrictions will be lifted by the end of June. “Earlier this week members of all four legislative caucuses encouraged Governor Inslee to share the vision of his counterparts in California and...
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April 12, 2021
John Braun

No counties should be moving backward, say legislative Republican leaders

OLYMPIA…Legislative Republican leaders released the following statement after learning that three counties will be forced to move backward to Phase 2 in the governor’s reopening plan. Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, expressed their frustration with the governor’s decision and the Democrat majorities’ inaction on executive powers reform. “The communities of Cowlitz,...
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April 12, 2021
John Braun

Cutoff highlights refusal to address emergency powers — one of many majority Democrat failures, say top Senate Republicans

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican leaders released the following remarks after Sunday’s legislative deadline for bills that passed in their house origin to be considered by the opposite chamber. Bills that did not pass in both chambers by Sunday’s cutoff are considered ‘dead’ except for those considered necessary to implement the budget, such as the income tax proposed...
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June 21, 2017
Mark Schoesler

‘No government shutdown’ assures Senate majority leader

Schoesler maintains confidence that budget deal will be reached in time to avoid partial shutdown OLYMPIA…Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement of a third special legislative session to finalize negotiations on a budget for the 2017-19 biennium. “I fully expect the budget teams to submit a...
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March 16, 2017
Curtis King

Senator King tells transit agency to consider soldiers and find a fair solution

Before he adjourned a recent working session of the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. King urged Sound Transit officials to consider the impact their car tab tax valuations were having on soldiers.  Sen. King related how soldiers had come to him and described struggling to make ends meet.  He said they told him that they didn’t...
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December 08, 2014
John Braun

Braun elected deputy leader of Senate majority

The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus has elected Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, as Senate Majority Deputy Leader for the two-year legislative term that begins in 2015.  Braun was already a member of the MCC leadership team and is chair of the Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee. “We will have a tough job this coming legislative...
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