Senate Minority Leader calls the state’s new income tax ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘unnecessary’ while also promising to hold the government accountable if he becomes the U.S. Representative for Southwest Washington

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

The politician who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump to become the Republican nominee for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District was in Vancouver last week discussing the state budget and the state’s new income tax.

Then, over the weekend, John Braun, Republican state senator from District 20 and the Senate Minority Leader, explained to Clark County Today why he is the best choice for Southwest Washington.

“Governing is not a sound bite, a social media post, or the next cable news hit. It is the steady work of listening, negotiating, building coalitions, and turning priorities into legislation,” Braun said. “I have built a record of advancing conservative principles while working across the aisle to produce results for the people I serve.”

Braun is hoping to advance in the August primary to the general election in November, where he will presumably run against Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, the two-term Democrat incumbent.

As the campaign is sure to intensify, with candidates likely to critique one another, Clark County Today asked Braun why Southwest Washington residents should vote for him — and he was asked to do so without mentioning his opponent.

“Southwest Washington voters deserve a member of Congress grounded in real-world responsibility and results. I have spent my life leading in settings where accountability matters: as a captain in the U.S. Navy, as a business owner who has made payroll and created jobs, and as a state senator who has balanced budgets, strengthened public safety, and protected constitutional rights,” Braun said.

“With Washington state Democrats’ recent adoption of an income tax, it’s important to elect someone who recognizes that more taxes are not the solution,” Braun added. “Protecting taxpayers and homeowners must be a top priority. … In Congress, I would focus on lowering taxes, reducing unnecessary spending, cutting waste and fraud, and holding government accountable for how it uses taxpayer dollars.

“I’m running for Congress to bring steady, serious, commonsense conservative leadership to Washington, D.C., focused on delivering results for Southwest Washington.”

Last week, Braun was one of three guests at a dinner presented by Americans for Prosperity, held at the AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront. Braun talked about the recent session of the state legislature, as well as his 2026 campaign. Also at the dinner were conservative radio host Ari Hoffman and Fox News contributor Guy Benson.

Braun discussed the uphill battle Republicans in the state have been facing, going up against the majority Democrats in Olympia.

The last two sessions, Braun noted, legislators were faced with multibillion-dollar deficits. Republicans wanted to find savings. Democrats, he said, were not looking to cut back at all.

“They decided the right way to solve that was another record-breaking tax increase,” Braun said.

Last year, the state passed the largest tax increase in history. This year, the income tax — with the $1 million deduction. Make no mistake, Braun said, the so-called “millionaire’s tax” is an income tax. And do not believe it will only affect millionaires, he said.

“Every year, another hit on the business community. And another hit. Another hit. Last year we had the largest tax increase in our state’s history,” Braun said. “This year, they demanded even more. Step by step, it is destroying our community.”

Braun is hopeful that the income tax will be overturned by the courts, believing it to be against Washington’s state constitution.

To improve the state’s financial standing, Braun said, politicians need to cut back, not create new taxes.

“We have the ability to live within our means,” he said, noting Republicans presented a framework of how to deliver state services without raising taxes.

Braun also reminded dinner guests that all of this was happening when state revenue continues to grow. It’s the state’s spending that is increasing more than the revenue.

“Unconsititutional. Unnecessary,” Braun said of the income tax.

“We have an unsustainable spending problem they continue to try to solve with new revenue,” Braun said. “You can’t solve a spending problem with new revenue. You’ve got to get control of your spending.”

While it can be frustrating for conservatives in the state right now, Braun also said there is reason to be optimistic.

“You can’t stay in this business without being hopeful,” Braun said. “I still believe, fundamentally, Washington is a purple state. We need a little bit more red to keep it purple.”

Republicans just need to make their case on affordability, public safety, homelessness, and education, he added.

“We’ve got work to do there. But we should not give up,” Braun said. “We live in a great state. We have had a tremendous past. We’re in a pretty tough time right now. But we absolutely have a path back. We just have to focus on policies that bring people to our side, explain what we’re doing and willing to do to make their lives better, their family’s lives better, their communities better.”

Braun also said that it is the responsibility of the people to ensure political leaders hear their opinions on matters.

“I really believe, by far, the best thing individuals can do is show up,” Braun said, asking residents to share their stories. “That is how our government is supposed to work. … If you show up and talk to the folks representing you, it matters.”