| John Braun | |
| Office: | Minority Leader of the Washington Senate |
| Term Start: | November 30, 2020 |
| Predecessor: | Mark Schoesler |
| State Senate1: | Washington |
| District1: | 20th |
| Term Start1: | July 23, 2017 |
| Predecessor1: | Marlo Braun |
| Term Start2: | January 14, 2013 |
| Term End2: | July 18, 2017 |
| Predecessor2: | Dan Swecker |
| Successor2: | Marlo Braun |
| Birth Name: | John Eric Braun |
| Birth Date: | 16 January 1967 |
| Birth Place: | Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Party: | Republican |
| Spouse: | Marlo Braun |
| Education: | University of Washington (BS) University of Michigan (MBA, MS) |
| Signature: | John Braun Signature.png |
| Allegiance: |  United States |
John Eric Braun[1] (born January 16, 1967) is an American politician from Washington. A Republican, Braun serves in the Washington State Senate, representing the 20th district.[2] [3] Braun serves as the President of Braun Northwest and as an officer in the US Navy Reserve.[4]
Braun was born on January 16, 1967, in Columbus, Ohio.[5] He grew up in Ohio and attended the University of Washington on a U.S. Naval ROTC scholarship. He graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He then spent seven years on active duty with the United States Navy, and he continues to serve as a Captain in the Navy Reserve. Braun received his Master of Business Administration degree and Master of Science in engineering management from the University of Michigan in 1999.
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.[6] Braun had a strong showing in the primary with 40.33 percent of the vote compared to Swecker's 46.97 percent.[7] In the General Election, Braun greatly improved on his primary showing; defeating Swecker with 55.43 percent of the vote.[8]
In the Senate, Braun serves as Chair of the Ways and Means Committees.[9]
He held his first floor speech February 15, 2013, and sponsored more than 70 bills as a freshman legislator.[10]
In November 2020, Braun was elected Washington Senate Minority Leader by members of the Republican caucus.[11] Braun has served as the minority leader since the start of the 2021–2022 legislative session.[12]
, he lives in Centralia with his wife and four children, while managing the family business.[14]