The campaigns for Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, traded barbs Tuesday over an advertisement commissioned by the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign featuring the son of a man killed in a tragic workplace accident at Braun Northwest.
News releases from both campaigns addressed the campaign ad titled “Braun Didn’t Care After Tragic Workplace Accident,” with the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign introducing the advertisement to the public and the Braun campaign referring to it as a “new low” in a series of attack ads against the state senator.
The new ad features a single shot of Colten Keller, a former Braun Northwest employee and son of Karl Keller, 61, of Chehalis, who was accidentally run over and killed by a colleague in August 2024. In the advertisement, Keller alleges that “John Braun never called” to ask how his family was holding up after the accident.
“Six weeks later, they just wanted to know when I’d be back,” Colten says while looking straight into the camera.
In the announcement of the new advertisement, the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign argued the testimony from Colten reduces the credibility of Braun’s assertion that he looks out for working families.
“Leadership isn't tested in campaign speeches, it’s tested when people face their darkest moments. And when it mattered most, John Braun didn't show up,” Gluesenkamp Perez stated. “Everything you need to know about how Braun would represent Southwest Washington, you can learn by how he treated Colten after this accident.”
The Braun campaign responded quickly with a statement labeling the advertisement and testimonial a “false attack ad” and providing examples of support Braun and the company provided to the Keller family.
The Braun campaign stated the company provided paid time off and face-to-face support for Colten and his family, including a meal train. Braun also testified to personally delivering a meal cooked by his wife to the family.
“Braun Northwest provided Colten Keller with paid time off, daily face to face support from leadership/human resources and unlimited counseling services following the incident and organized a family meal train to support him and his family,” the campaign stated. “Braun also personally delivered a meal prepared by his wife, Marlo, for Colten and his family. Colten later returned their dishes and thanked Braun. Colten continued working for Braun Northwest until May 2025 and continues to provide services as a vendor through his sandblasting company.”
“That’s a low smear even for a DC politician and it’s wild and heartless distortion,” Braun further stated in his campaign's response. “I met with Colten twice on the day of this tragic accident and at least twice afterward. I expressed my deep sympathy.”
Braun went on to question why Colten would participate in the ad and painted a recent volley of ads from the incumbent’s campaign criticizing workplace safety at Braun Northwest as a sign of desperation.
“I have no idea why Colten would agree to make an ad like this for Marie at this time,” Braun said. “Marie paying money to run this ad proves one thing: She’s desperate.”
The Braun campaign released the official report of the fatal accident from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: “At 8:30 a.m. on August 2, 2024, an assembly supervisor started a newly built ambulance located in a parking area in anticipation of moving the vehicle into the building. Employee #1 (Karl) climbed under the running vehicle in the parking area. The supervisor subsequently reentered the vehicle and moved it.”
Braun provided The Chronicle with a statement on the day of the fatal accident in 2024: “We are heartbroken by this event and are committed to working closely with Labor and Industries, as well as the sheriff's office, to fully understand what happened. Our prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and loved ones. Our thoughts are also with the coworkers who are deeply affected by this loss, and we stand together to support each other during this incredibly difficult time.”
Last July, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries explained the conclusion of the investigation in an email to The Chronicle: “The inspection included interviews, a review of the company's training protocols, and a review of documentation including their Accident Prevention program. The company was meeting the requirements under state law, and there was no violation of safety standards.”
The advertisement is the latest in a campaign of attack ads from both the Gluesenkamp Perez Campaign and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). In addition to critiques of workplace safety at Braun Northwest, attack ads have targeted his stance on abortion, votes on bills related to pharmaceuticals and initial support for the war in Iran.
The Braun campaign has swiftly addressed the advertisements related to the business and accused the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign of exploiting and distorting workplace tragedies.
In one ad, the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign suggested a young woman was “maimed” while working at the facility, though subsequent information from Braun’s supporters showed the woman had fractured her finger without realizing it, later in the evening going to the emergency room for treatment. She returned to work the following day. Coincidentally, Gluesenkamp Perez visited the Napavine High School career and technical education program the woman attended shortly after the injury, even shaking her hand in a photograph published by The Chronicle.
According to emails obtained by The Chronicle, The Washington Post is currently working on an article focused on the safety record of Braun Northwest.
The race for Washington’s Third Congressional District remains one of the most watched in the nation, with Republicans and Democrats both considering it important to maintaining or gaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
