Brian Burnett
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Brian Burnett
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 12 - Pos. 1
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, Burien, Basic Law Enforcement, 1999
FBI National Academy, Quantico, Executive Level Leadership Academy, 2015
West Point Model Leadership Training, Wenatchee, 2022-
Command College, Mid Management, 2011-
WORK & MILITARY
Chelan County Sheriffs Office, Deputy Sheriff, 1998-2010
Chelan County Sheriffs Office, Elected Sheriff, 2011-2022
Seattle's Finest Security, Director of Law Enforcement Services, 2023-2026
Washington State Sheriffs Association, Administrative Liaison, 2023-2026
Washington State Criminal Justice Center, Commissioner (Appointed by Governor), 2018-2021
AFFILIATIONS
Royal Family Kids (Summer Camp for abused and / or neglected foster children ages 6-12), Camp Director, Dean of Mean, Counselor, 2014-2021
North Central Washington Chaplain Foundation (Serving first responders in Chelan and Douglas Counties), Board Member & Chair, 2011-2023
UVCares (Online Mental Health Provider), Board Member, 2018-2022
Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Past President, President, VP, and Sheriff at Large, 2015-2019
Washington State Sheriffs Association, President, VP, Sec / Tres, 2018-2022
Wenatchee Youth Baseball, Coach
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Chelan County Sheriff, 2011-2022
Washington State Representative LD 12 Position 1, 2024-2026
Precinct Committee Officer, 2011-2018
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Washington State Representative LD 12 Position 1, 2026-2027
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2025
|70%, 70%†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2025
|27%, 27%†
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (3)
Association of Washington Business AWB
Washingtonians for a Brighter Future PAC
Associated General Contractors of Washington AGCW Build PAC
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe in the sanctity of life and in protecting the unborn child. I support preserving life whenever possible. In circumstances where medical consultation determines a pregnancy presents a serious and imminent threat to the life of the mother, difficult decisions may arise. Those decisions should be made after careful medical guidance, with the family fully informed and involved in the process.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
State and / or local governments should be able to determine what is best for their economic situation. Setting the minimum wage too high creates potential unnecessary inflation and takes away the ability to teach the younger generation work ethics.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
My top priorities to eliminate government waste are: 1) Audit and monitor Human Services programs and nonprofits to ensure accountability and results. 2) Fund essential services and core government functions first. 3) Ensure taxpayer dollars are used only for their intended purpose. 4) Prioritize investments in infrastructure, public safety, and proven programs. 5) Increase accountability in public education and focus resources on core learning outcomes.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
That the state doesn't interfere with the church, freedom of worship and freedom of speech, protecting the constitutional rights afforded to us both for the US and State Constitutions.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Disagree
This could be a big concern of government overreach causing privacy risks, data security concerns, possible discrimination concerns.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Absolutely, many people believe in the replacement theology, I do not. God's word says, "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse..." Genesis 12:3. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem". Psalm 122:6. "Whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye". Zechariah 2:8. I traveled to Israel in September, 2026 with 250 state legislators. My wife and I were scheduled to visit Israel, April 9-23, 2026 but our airlines canceled due to the situation with Iran.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
I believe Washington State failed in policy with Keep Washington Working. In the past all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies worked well together in the name of public safety.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Agree
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Washington's Parental Bill of Rights is an total failure and a direct assault against the traditional family.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Neutral
Although I think gambling in general has been very detrimental in addiction to individuals and our society, I do however have concerns on the governments continual overreach and restricting citizens rights.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My spiritual journey has been shaped by both hardship and God’s grace. At age 13, my family experienced divorce, which created challenges and questions that deeply impacted my life. At age 19, I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way, and that relationship transformed my life with hope, purpose, and direction. My wife and I have been married 39 years and are blessed with six biological children, one adopted child, and 12 grandchildren. I believe in the truth of God’s Word and in the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives through grace, forgiveness, healing, and restoration.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
I think in only very limited circumstances should they be allowed to vote without photo ID. I'm not sure what that would look like but we obviously need to take multiple measures to ensure voter integrity.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
I am so disappointed in what I witnessed first hand in Olympia on this topic and the hate and bias that has been spread in the name of BIPOC. This has been counter productive in healing the wrongs of the past.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
Climate stewardship matters, but solutions should protect jobs, maintain affordable energy, preserve American competitiveness, and avoid policies that create economic hardship.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe we should stay diversified in maintaining clean and dependable energy sources by utilizing hydropower, natural gas and safe nuclear and fusion options.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
I almost smile as I view myself as conservative, when others think I'm not conservative enough and many think I'm a right wing advocate:)
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
Public safety starts with standing up for victims, protecting the vulnerable, and supporting those who keep our communities safe. I believe Washington needs a justice system that puts victims first, holds criminals accountable, and gives law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs effectively. Families deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and communities.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Protecting children from sexual exploitation is my number one passion as a legislator. My adopted daughter is a survivor of sex trafficking from ages 8–17, making this issue deeply personal. One in three girls will experience sexual abuse or assault before age 18. I will continue building strong coalitions and fighting for policies that protect vulnerable children, hold offenders accountable, and change the culture in Washington State to stand firmly against child exploitation.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
I believe the United States legal system must remain rooted in the Constitution and the rule of law, with no parallel legal systems superseding constitutional rights and protections. This is a hard line for me with no exceptions. Federal and state governments should remain vigilant in protecting individual liberties, equal justice under the law, and the constitutional framework that governs our nation.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
As a former sheriff and current legislator, I strongly support the Second Amendment and the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. I also believe our responsibility is to protect communities from violent offenders and those who intend to do harm. We must focus on enforcing laws, holding dangerous criminals accountable, and keeping weapons out of the hands of those who pose a legitimate threat to public safety.
