3rd District candidate vows patriotism over politics at Longview Memorial Day event
A state senator and Trump-endorsed candidate in the upcoming 3rd District congressional race shared a message of patriotism over politics on Monday to a crowd of dozens gathered at Longview Memorial Park.
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State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, honored servicemen and women throughout history who bravely gave their lives during his keynote speech during the Memorial Day ceremony hosted by Longview American Legion Post 155 and cemetery staff.
"From Bunker Hill to Baghdad, Americans from communities across this nation have answered the call to serve, and many made the ultimate sacrifice," he said.
Retired Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson sang the national anthem, while the Mount St. Helens Marine Corps League Detachment 889 performed a rifle volley, and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets displayed the colors.
Braun's speech largely steered clear of politics and made no mention of the upcoming hotly contested seat to represent Washington's 3rd Congressional District.
Video: Longview Memorial Day 2026
State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, said Memorial Day calls for remembering "ordinary Americans who displayed extraordinary courage" at a keynote speech at Longview Memorial Park on May 25, 2026.
"The truest tribute to the fallen is to cherish and protect the freedom they preserved to build a nation where patriotism rises above politics, where the American flag is displayed proudly - like we have here today - where our highest honors are reserved for those who sacrificed for others," Braun said.
Color Guard in Longview
Tanner Chaffin, Kallie Bunnell, Aiden Marshall, Wyatt Almeida and Zoey Colwart with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Decatur Division post the colors during a Memorial Day ceremony Monday at Longview Memorial Park.
Packed race
Braun is a former U.S. Navy officer and current state senator serving portions of Cowlitz, Thurston, Lewis and Clark counties. He the Longview ceremony was his first time speaking for Memorial Day.
He is one of three Republicans and nine total candidates running for Washington's 3rd Congressional District in the primary seeking the seat currently held by two-term Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania.
Setting Braun apart ahead of the top-two August primary, however, is an endorsement last month from President Donald Trump.
John Braun speaks in Longview
State senator John Braun, R-Centralia, gave the keynote Memorial Day speech Monday at Longview Memorial Park, telling roughly 80 people in attendance that the holiday honors "ordinary Americans who displayed extraordinary courage."
Trump previously endorsed past Republican candidate Joe Kent for the seat, but Gluesenkamp Perez still beat him in the last two races.
However, since then, members of her party have been vocal at regional town halls against Gluesenkamp Perez's voting record, including in November when she was among six Democrats to vote to end the government shutdown, while the majority of her party fought to extend health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
This month she broke party lines again by voting for a bill to require parental consent before changing the records of public elementary or middle school students' genders or allowing the youth to use different restrooms.
Other candidates in the race include Democrat Brent Hennrich of Vancouver, who also ran for the seat in 2022 but stepped aside to support Gluesenkamp Perez, as well as Republican John P. Roco, of Centralia, who ran unsuccessfully for a U.S. Senate seat in Hawaii.
The remaining candidates are independent John Saulie-Rohman of Washougal; Republican Lawrence Kellogg of Washougal; Democrat Troy Rasband of Vancouver; Democrat Austin Braswell of Vancouver; and Antony Barran of Ocean Park with the Cascade Party.
John Braun in Longview
State Senator John Braun, R-Centralia, stands next to Longview Mayor Erik Halvorson at Longview Memorial Park Monday. Braun, who is running for congress in Washington District 3, gave a message of patriotism over politics.
Rain stays away
Mike Dunlap with the American Legion Post 155 estimated Monday's crowd turnout at approximately 80 people. He said that expected rains in the forecast may have discouraged some from attending.
Those rains ultimately held off until shortly after the ceremony concluded.
Memorial Day in Longview
Marilyn Herold of Longview arranges pink flowers on the grave of her mother-in-law, Evelyn Herold, Monday at Longview Memorial Park. Herold and her husband, Ted, honored at least eight loved ones at the cemetery on Monday following the Memorial Day ceremony.
During the ceremony, Braun, encouraged those attending to "live lives worthy of their sacrifice."
"That means strengthening our communities, helping our fellow veterans, supporting military families and teaching the next generation what this day truly means," he said.
Memorial Day in Longview
The grave of William J. Barker is honored with a metal flower stand that says "Dad" on Monday morning at Longview Memorial Park.
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 4:29 AM.