I’ve known John Braun for years, long before this congressional campaign and long before these ads began portraying him in a way that I know is dishonest.
As a former Thurston County sheriff, my years in law enforcement gave me a front-row seat to this community. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life and seen how they treat others when it matters. I’ve had that same firsthand experience with John.
I’ve known him as a friend, as a fellow Washingtonian, and as someone who has spent years serving the people of this state. I’ve seen who he is and how he treats people when there’s no camera on and nothing to gain politically.
That’s why I have a hard time watching the attack ads being run against him.
John cares about people. He cares about his employees. He takes his responsibility to them seriously. I’ve seen the pride he has in Braun Northwest and the people who work there. He doesn’t treat those people as numbers or write them off when something goes wrong.
Take the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign’s false claim about an employee “maimed” while operating equipment she allegedly had not been trained to use. She was not maimed. She was trained, unfortunately suffered a fractured finger, went to the doctor and got a splint, and returned to work the next day.
I’ve watched John show up. I’ve watched him listen. I’ve watched him put people first. I’ve watched him work through difficult problems without needing a camera or applause.
And it’s the same with the other attacks.
They say John gave himself a pay raise and blamed him for a property tax increase. I know enough about John to know that’s not the whole story. John has no influence on state Senate pay. An independent commission sets out the salaries, and John opposed the increase.
The property tax change was caused by the Washington State Supreme Court’s order to change school funding, and John worked hard to make sure rural middle-class landowners saw their property taxes cut.
There’s a lot more to both stories than the ads want people to know.
You can disagree with John’s votes. You can question his decisions. That’s fair.
I’m not asking anyone to take my word for it. I’m asking voters to do what I have done for years: look at John’s record, listen to him for yourself, and talk to people who have actually worked alongside him.
I know the John Braun I’m supporting. I hope voters will take the time to get to know him, too.
Gary Edwards
Yelm
