Mike Johnson, the United States Speaker of the House, was in Vancouver on Thursday morning, endorsing the candidacy of John Braun for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

The Republicans are wasting no time getting into campaign mode for November.

Less than 48 hours after the polls closed on Washington state’s primary, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives was in Vancouver, giving his endorsement to John Braun for Congress.

Braun, state senator from Washington’s 20th Legislative District, is looking to unseat Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in the race for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. Gluesenkamp Perez is looking for a third term.

The two easily outdistanced a number of candidates in Washington’s primary, which concluded Tuesday, to advance to November’s winner-take-all election.

No time to wait, though. The November election, the Speaker of the House reminded folks in Vancouver, is in 89 days.

“This district is going to help decide the fate of the Republic,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Loisiana) said, speaking to a group of invited guests at Trap Door Brewing on Main Street in Vancouver. “When John wins this seat — and he will — we’re going to keep and grow the majority of the Republican party for common sense in Washington. That’s what’s on the ballot.”

The upcoming election is not a contract for America, Johnson said, but a contrast for America.

“It’s between common sense and crazy,” Johnson said. “The Democrat party right now is being taken over by communists.”

He opined that Gluesenkamp Perez “pretends” to be a moderate, but she is not.

“The current occupant of this seat does not belong in that seat,” Johnson said.

The Speaker also took note of the Cook Political Report’s predictions for the House of Representatives. Cook has the count at 215 seats for Republicans, 205 for Democrats, and 18 considered toss-ups. Washington’s 3rd District is one of those up for grabs.

“With stakes that high, you have to get a caliber of candidate who is so far above board. … You have to have somebody with character that is unimpeachable,” Johnson said. “You could not find a better candidate than John Braun.”

Braun thanked the owner of Trap Door Brewing, Bryan Shull, for hosting the event. Shull, incidentally, also advanced in the primary. He is running for Clark County Council.

Braun also appreciated the many folks who arrived early on Thursday morning in order to get a chance to say hello to the Speaker. Many in the room were also small business owners.

It is small business owners who understand the challenges, who keep America moving forward, said Braun, who himself is a business owner.

“Small business, manufacturing, retail, this is the core of our economy,” Braun said. “This is what makes our lives go, here in Vancouver and around Southwest Washington. Folks like Bryan, and many others like him, are what make Southwest Washington a great place to live, a great place to raise your family. We’ve got to fight back if we are going to keep it prosperous.”

Braun has run his business for 27 years.

“I understand the challenges that small businesses have. We can elect the kind of representative we need to get government out of our way,” he said.

He challenged the people in the room to spread the word.

“We get the government we elect,” Braun said. “This is our chance to do the right thing in Southwest Washington. What happens in Southwest Washington will directly affect what happens in our country.”

Johnson agreed.

“I will leave you with this thought: God’s not done with America yet,” the Speaker said. “It is in jeopardy right now because Marxists and communists are coming for it, trying to tear down the foundation of the county. We’re going to save this. It’s going to be up to patriots to save it.”

After the brief rally, Johnson and Braun took two questions from media members. One asked Johnson what makes this candidate different from 2024, when Johnson came to Clark County to stump for Joe Kent.

“This gentleman is uniquely qualified for congress,” Johnson said of Braun, noting his military experience, his role as a business owner, and his time in state politics. “He brings so many skills to the table.”

As far as character, Braun said he has never been more proud to endorse a candidate.

“Not a single person anywhere can say something negative about this guy’s integrity,” Johnson said.

The Republican party is focused on 2026, with John Braun in Southwest Washington.

“There may have never been anybody as qualified to run in this area,” Johnson said.