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

April 30, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

Starbucks, Sonics, and the I-5 Bridge: Washington is more expensive because of Democrat policies and it’s affecting everyone and everything

Is Washington losing its competitive edge? In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senate Republican Leader John Braun breaks down the affordability crisis hitting our state. From Starbucks’ Nashville expansion and record-breaking tax increases to the stalled progress on the I-5 Columbia River bridge, we examine how current policies are driving families and...
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April 30, 2026
Matt Boehnke

Staying connected, AI oversight, and strengthening our energy future

Dear Friends and Neighbors, As we move further into the year, you will not receive additional updates from my legislative office. Election-year restrictions limit certain communications and require a clear line between official legislative work and campaign activity. This will be the last formal update until after the November election. That doesn’t change who I...
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April 30, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: KTTH’s Jason Rantz Show: MacEwen Calls for Special Session Over State Energy Crisis

State Senator Drew MacEwen joins Jason Rantz to discuss the urgent need for a special session to address rising utility and gas costs. MacEwen argues that current state policies are failing families and calls for immediate legislative action to provide relief and reassess Washington’s long-term fiscal health.
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April 29, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Schoesler asks if Ferguson is following “spirit of law” with PDC appointments

Is the state’s campaign-finance watchdog losing its balance? Tracy Ellis reports.
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April 25, 2026
Matt Boehnke

Town hall recap, newsletter, and transportation update for the 8th District

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Thank you to everyone who came out to our recent 8th District town hall. I appreciate you taking the time to be there, ask questions, and stay engaged. We covered a lot — some of it easy, some of it not. I appreciated hearing directly from you about the pressures you’re...
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April 24, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO/VIDEO: MacEwen calls for special session to confront ‘Made-in-Olympia’ energy crisis and demand ratepayer relief

Washington’s energy rates were once among the lowest in the nation, but a state senator says Democrat policies are turning them into a ‘financial catastrophe.’ Tracy Ellis reports. FOR MORE FROM SENATOR MACEWEN ON THIS TOPIC, CHECK OUT HIS YouTube SHORT:  
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April 24, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

MacEwen calls for special session to confront ‘Made-in-Olympia’ energy crisis and demand ratepayer relief

Today State Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, issued a formal demand for an immediate special session of the Washington State Legislature to address the compounding effects of skyrocketing fuel prices, hidden utility taxes, and looming double-digit electricity rate hikes. MacEwen is calling on Gov. Bob Ferguson and the Legislature’s Democratic majority to stop ignoring the financial...
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April 24, 2026
Drew MacEwen

MacEwen calls for special session to confront ‘Made-in-Olympia’ energy crisis and demand ratepayer relief

Today State Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, issued a formal demand for an immediate special session of the Washington State Legislature to address the compounding effects of skyrocketing fuel prices, hidden utility taxes, and looming double-digit electricity rate hikes. MacEwen is calling on Gov. Bob Ferguson and the Legislature’s Democratic majority to stop ignoring the financial...
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April 23, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

Investigating DCYF: Oversight and Accountability for Washington’s Children on The Elephant in the Dome Podcast

Senate Republican Leader John Braun discusses the urgent need for oversight at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). He explores massive legal payouts for negligence, the impact of the “Keeping Families Together Act,” and how other states are handling similar agency failures through bipartisan investigation. TRANSCRIPT
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April 16, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

The High Cost of Gas and Energy: The Elephant in the Dome Podcast with Senator John Braun

Senate Republican Leader John Braun discusses Washington’s soaring energy costs. From record-high gas prices and the Climate Commitment Act to the future of nuclear power and data centers, Braun explores how state policies impact your wallet and outlines Republican solutions for a more affordable future. TRANSCRIPT
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April 07, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: KOMO: Braun Demands Accountability After Audit Flags $37M in Questionable Child Care Payments

After a state audit estimated $37 million in questionable child-care payments, Senator John Braun is calling for transparency and accountability at the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Braun says taxpayers deserve clear answers and stronger safeguards to prevent abuse while ensuring families who rely on child-care programs receive support.
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April 06, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Billions Spent, Little Accountability: Sen. Braun Sounds Alarm on Child Welfare Spending on the Lars Larson Show.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun joins Lars Larson to discuss a troubling audit of Washington’s child welfare agency, revealing widespread overpayments and weak oversight. Braun questions why billions in taxpayer dollars are poorly tracked, why the agency employs many lobbyists but few auditors, and why accountability from state leadership remains absent.
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