Leadership Blog

In the News

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast – Out of Order – When Politics Turn Violent and Budgets Break

Published on July 01, 2025
Following the tragic act of political violence in Minnesota, Washington Senate Republican Leader John Braun urges bipartisan condemnation of all violence. He also warns of looming budget shortfalls after a sobering revenue forecast, criticizes tax hikes, and argues that unsustainable spending threatens essential services.
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AUDIO: Sen. Chris Gildon on KVI’s Ari Hoffman Show – Budget “Reckless,” Ferguson “Caved to the Left”

Published on June 26, 2025
Washington’s budget is “$3.50 from disaster,” says Sen. Chris Gildon on KVI’s Ari Hoffman Show. Gildon slams the Legislative Democrats’ spending and Gov. Ferguson’s record tax hikes after new forecasts show a looming shortfall.
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AUDIO: Sen. Chris Gildon on the Lars Larson Show – Budget Barely Misses Iceberg

Published on June 25, 2025
Sen. Chris Gildon joins Lars Larson to unpack Washington’s shaky budget outlook, blasting record tax hikes and warning of looming shortfalls despite billions in new revenue. “It didn’t have to be this way,” he says.
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AUDIO: New revenue forecast is ‘near-miss’ but big trouble may be ahead, says Republican budget leader

Published on June 24, 2025
A near financial disaster is looming in Washington State. Tracy Ellis reports.
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Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Washington’s Health Care Crisis: Hospital Closures & Hidden Costs

Published on June 17, 2025
Hospitals across Washington are hurting, clinics are shutting down, and costs are skyrocketing. In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, state senators break down the crisis hitting our health care system—from new taxes impacting hospitals to hidden costs that could drive up insurance premiums for families. What role does government play in this growing...
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News from the Caucus

January 13, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: TVW: The Impact 2025 Opening Day Special Edition – Senate Republican Leader John Braun

Impact host Mike McClanahan sits down with Senate Republican Leader John Braun for ten minutes of Q&A about his plans and priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session.
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January 10, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senate Republican Priorities, Budget Challenges and Transportation Funding

Washington State Association of Broadcasters and Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington legislative session preview Senate Republican Leader John Braun on Senate Republicans’ priorities Senator Chris Gildon on the need to identify the actual budget problem Senator Curtis King making more money from transportation taxes and fees available to transportation projects
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January 03, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: New Democrat taxes, hiring more law enforcement, repealing sanctuary state status

State Senate Democrats accidentally leak new tax plans. A bill seeks 100 million dollars to help hire more law-enforcement officers. A Senator wants to help illegal immigrants by repealing Washington’s sanctuary state status. Guests include: Sen. Chris Gildon, Sen. Jeff Holy, Sen. Phil Fortunato
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December 23, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: State Senate Democrats accidentally leak new tax plans (See Democrat documents here)

State Senate Democrats accidentally leaked their new tax proposals. Tracy Ellis reports.   Democrat Documents: 2025 SDC revenue policy handout – FINAL 2025 Revenue Discussion slides
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December 11, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Majority Coalition Caucus versus single-party rule

As Democrats prepare for unilateral, supermajority control in Olympia, Republicans recall a more bipartisan era – 12 years ago, when the Majority Coalition Caucus, an historic alliance that ushered in a wave of critical reforms, came into existence.
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December 11, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Republicans announce committee leadership for 2025 legislative session

OLYMPIA…The Washington State Senate Republican Caucus today announced which of its members will serve as the lead Republicans on Senate policy and budget committees for the 2025-26 legislative term. The full slate of committee assignments will be finalized through a vote by the Senate Rules Committee on the first day of the 2025 legislative session,...
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December 10, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Republicans announce 2025 caucus leaders

OLYMPIA…Washington Senate Republicans today elected their leadership team for the 2024-25 legislative term. Leader: Sen. John Braun, Centralia Caucus Chair: Sen. Judy Warnick, Ellensburg Floor Leader: Sen. Shelly Short, Addy Whip: Sen. Keith Wagoner, Sedro Woolley Deputy Leader: Sen. Drew MacEwen, Shelton Deputy Caucus Chair: Sen. Ron Muzzall, Oak Harbor Deputy Floor Leader: Sen. Nikki...
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October 29, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: State’s response to ballot drop-box arson does nothing to inspire confidence

VANCOUVER…- Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, offered this reaction to the arson that destroyed ballots in a Clark County drop box Monday morning. “The ballot box at Fisher’s Landing that was set on fire early yesterday morning is in my legislative district. Common sense suggests many of the hundreds of ballots that were destroyed were cast...
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October 08, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senator frustrated about bureaucratic delay of school earthquake protections

Tens-of-millions of dollars set aside to protect schools from earthquakes is not getting spent, and state Senator Judy Warnick wants something done about it. The Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is supposed to be distributing the money.
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September 21, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Dan Evans set the standard for political leadership in Washington, Warnick says

Former governor and senator modernized state government, promoted higher education, advocated for the environment and defined what it means to be a Republican OLYMPIA – Dan Evans left such a deep stamp on the state of Washington that people today might have trouble believing one man could accomplish so much, said Senate Republican Caucus Chair...
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September 18, 2024
Matt Boehnke

Boehnke looks to improve rules for siting of power plants

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick OLYMPIA… The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) held a special meeting on September 13 to approve the revised site certification agreement for the controversial Horse Heaven Wind Project. Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, believes the EFSEC’s process to approve the revised site certification agreement (SCA) did not properly account for...
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September 18, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Shortage of public defenders and prosecutors – a criminal justice crisis

Washington’s criminal justice system has a big problem – a shortage of public defenders and prosecutors. Senator Mike Padden, a former judge and the Ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee is the featured guest. Washington Supreme Court justices take testimony on proposed changes to public defender standards – Learn you how you...
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