Leadership Blog

In the News

The Cost of Crime: Unpacking Washington State’s Organized Retail Theft Crisis

Published on August 27, 2026
Hosted by Senator Chris Gildon, this episode of The Elephant in the Dome features Washington Retail Association guests Jan Himebaugh and Crystal Leatherman. Together, they explore Washington’s escalating organized retail crime crisis, examine its connection to broader illegal networks, and discuss actionable solutions to rebuild accountability. TRANSCRIPT
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Decoding 340B: The $81 Billion Drug Discount Program Explained | The Elephant in the Dome

Published on July 30, 2026
In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon hosts Senator Ron Muzzall the ranking Republican on the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee. They break down the complex 340B Drug Pricing Program—a federal initiative designed to help safety-net health clinics and hospitals acquire discounted prescription medication for low-income patients. They discuss...
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AUDIO: Democrats’ spending draws warning from business leader: ‘It’s time to wake up’

Published on July 24, 2026
Washington business leaders are sounding the alarm on state spending — and it’s not just Republicans. Tracy Ellis explains. Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke — a lifelong Democrat — is urging lawmakers to ‘wake up’ as spending nears 80 billion dollars. State Senator Chris Gildon notes that Leiweke joins two former Democratic governors and other critics...
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Elephant in the Dome Podcast—Ferguson’s Gas Crisis, Shaky Budgets, America @ 250 w/Sen. Chris Gildon

Published on July 01, 2026
In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon pulls back the curtain on the real issues facing Washington. From the controversial impacts of the Climate Commitment Act on gas prices and utility bills to a deep dive into Olympia’s looming budget shortfall, Sen. Gildon breaks down the numbers that the majority...
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The Crisis of Washington’s “Keeping Families Together Act” | Elephant in the Dome Podcast

Published on June 17, 2026
In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon sits down with foster parent and healthcare professional Tracie Jefferson. They dive deep into the devastating, unintended consequences of Washington State’s “Keeping Families Together Act,” examining how its high removal thresholds and systemic issues impact vulnerable children. TRANSCRIPT
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News

March 08, 2023
John Braun

STATEMENT: Police-pursuit bill narrowly passed by Senate today is ‘half step’ in the right direction, says Republican leader

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun today offered this statement following the Senate’s narrow passage of legislation that would let law-enforcement officers engage in vehicular pursuits in more situations than Washington law has allowed since 2021. Senate Bill 5352 was passed with a 26-23 vote on the final day of this session for the Senate...
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March 03, 2023
Nikki Torres

Torres bill on missing and murdered Indigenous people passes Senate

Today the state Senate passed Sen. Nikki Torres’ measure implementing the recommendations of the Washington state Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People task force. The bill is part of the Legislature’s efforts to identify the root causes of the shockingly large number of Native Americans who have turned up missing or murdered in Washington....
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March 01, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Bill threatening rights of parents passes Senate

Senate Bill 5599 removes parents from health and mental health care decision-making process OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, made the following remarks after the state Senate’s majority Democrats passed legislation that would give youth-related facilities a troubling new excuse for withholding the whereabouts of runaway children from their parents. Under Senate Bill 5599, those...
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February 09, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Sen. John Braun’s weekly leadership update – week 6

  Watch: Police pursuit and drug possession remain top concerns for Senate Republicans as we try to convince Legislative Democrats to grant hearings for the bills that would remedy some of these issues.
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February 08, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Democracy on the ballot: SB 5082 & SB 5209

In Washington, voters get an opportunity to weigh in on taxes that were passed by the Legislature without their direct approval. This opportunity is called “Advisory Votes” and it is often the only time voters hear of a new tax. Since 2012, advisory votes on 38 tax increases have appeared on the ballot. But today,...
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February 01, 2023
Keith Wagoner

Wagoner bill to recognize history, contributions of Americans of Chinese descent heads to House

Today the Senate voted 48-0 to approve Sen. Keith Wagoner’s measure designating January as Americans of Chinese Descent Month.   “They say the third time’s a charm, and I hope in this case it’s true,” said Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, who has been working on the issue since 2020.   “I want to thank everyone in this...
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February 01, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Leadership Video Update – Day 23

Senate Republican Leader John Braun updates us on the progress of the 2023 Legislative Session. Unfortunately, the highlight is the lack of progress on fixing the police pursuit law. Learn more:  
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January 31, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Common sense, accountability needed to fix bad police pursuit law

OLYMPIA…There’s a data war happening in the Washington State Senate. It’s over the need for reform to the recent change in law that prevents police from pursuing a suspect unless the authorities have probable cause. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, believes we must pass legislation that improves Washington’s police-pursuit law after the results of...
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January 25, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Senate Republican Leadership Update Jan. 25, 2023

Senate Republican Leader John Braun from the 20th legislative district gives an update on Republican priorities for the 2023 session and where the real work lies.
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January 13, 2023
Keith Wagoner

Senate panel advances Wagoner bill to recognize history, contributions of Americans of Chinese descent

Click here to watch the full hearing on SB 5000. Today the Senate State Government and Elections Committee voted unanimously to advance Sen. Keith Wagoner’s measure designating January as Americans of Chinese Descent Month. “Recognizing the history and contributions of Americans of Chinese descent has been and will continue to be very important to me,”...
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January 09, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Republicans elect 2023 deputy leadership

Washington State Senate Republicans today elected 2023 deputy leadership. Deputy Leader                    Sen. Chris Gildon, Puyallup Caucus Vice Chair              Sen. Ron Muzzall, Oak Harbor Deputy Floor Leader         Sen. Nikki Torres, Pasco Deputy Whip                       Sen. Perry Dozier, Waitsburg
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December 07, 2022
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Republicans announce 2023 committee assignments

          OLYMPIA…The Washington State Senate Republican Caucus announced its committee assignments for the senators who will serve the Legislature in 2023. 2023 Ranking Republican Committee Assignments by Member: Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks: Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade: Sen. Perry Dozier, R-Waitsburg Early Learning...
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