As Senate Minority Leader, John Braun is one of the most powerful political insiders in Olympia. But rather than use his position to lower costs for families, new reporting shows Braun consistently voted to protect the pharmaceutical and insurance industries — all while cashing their checks.
“About 10% of all donations made to Braun have come from these two sectors,” a sum that could explain why Braun voted:
- Against a bipartisan bill to crack down on Big Pharma’s price gouging,
- Against making it easier for patients to get generic versions of name brand medications,
- Against making life-saving insulin more affordable,
- Against a bill to require health insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions – including cancer, diabetes, and asthma.
DCCC Spokesperson Lindsay Reilly:
“John Braun spent 14 years in Olympia voting to enrich himself and his special interest donors. Braun couldn’t care less about Washingtonians struggling with rising costs; he’s focused on his own bottom line and pleasing his donors. Washingtonians hate self-serving politicians, and they already know and trust Marie Gluesenkamp Perez works for them – no one else. That’s why they’re sending Marie back to Congress this November.”
Read for yourself…
American Journal News: Braun took drug industry money, opposed lower health care costs
- Campaign finance records show that Braun has taken $73,550 from pharmaceutical companies since 2012 and $37,400 from the health insurance industry. About 10% of all donations made to Braun have come from these two sectors.
- In 2022, Braun was in lockstep with the pharmaceutical industry when he opposed a bipartisan bill establishing Washington’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board.
- The AARP said the board “could lead to lower insurance premiums, reduce taxpayer spending on health care, and would help ensure people can afford the medication they need.” Affordability boards have been criticized by PhRMA, a trade group representing the pharmaceutical industry that donated to Braun.
- A similar dynamic played out a year earlier when Braun opposed a bill allowing Washington to buy, manufacture, and distribute generic versions of popular medications that are cheaper than their name-brand alternatives.
- A year before that, in 2020, Braun opposed a bill that allowed the state to bulk-buy insulin and provide it to patients at a discounted rate.
- He also opposed a bill requiring health insurers in Washington to cover pre-existing conditions.
- Despite this record, Braun insists that affordability and lowering costs are his top priorities. In June, he criticized Gluesenkamp Perez for voting against “the largest tax cut in history,” even though that tax cut disproportionately benefits the wealthy and is paid for with a $1 trillion cut to Medicaid.
- Health care costs are expected to be a major issue in the 2026 race. A June 2026 Gallup poll found that Americans’ ability to afford health care is at a five-year low.
- Braun’s campaign has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
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