John E. Braun

John E. Braun (born January 16, 1967) is an American politician from Washington state. A Republican, Braun serves in the Washington State Senate, representing the 20th district.^[1][2] Braun defeated incumbent state senator Dan Swecker in the November 6, 2012 General Election to become the Washington's 20th legislative district state senator. In addition to his career with the Washington State Senate, he serves as the President of Braun Northwest and as an officer in the US Navy Reserve.^[3]

Personal background

John E. Braun was born on January 16, 1967. He grew up in Ohio and attended the University of Washington on a U.S. Naval scholarship. He graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He then spent seven years on active duty with the Navy, and he continues to serve as a Captain in the Navy Reserve. Braun received his Master of Business Administration degree and Master of Engineering Management from the University of Michigan in 1999. As of 2012, he lives in Centralia, where he lives with his wife and four children, while managing the family business.^[4]

In the Senate, Braun serves as Chair of the Trade & Economic Development Committee, Vice Chair of the Commerce and Labor Committee, and also serves on the Governmental Operations and Ways and Means Committees.^[5]

He held his first floor speech February 15, 2013, and has sponsored more than 70 bills as a freshman legislator.^[6]

Professional background

Braun ran in a three-way all-Republican primary in 2012 versus the incumbent state senator Dan Swecker and employment specialist and former substitute teacher Rae Lowery.^[7] Braun had a strong showing in the primary with 40.33 percent of the vote compared to Swecker's 46.97 percent.^[8] In the General Election, Braun greatly improved on his primary showing; defeating Swecker with 55.43 percent of the vote.^[9]

References