FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patrick Connor, Washington State Director, patrick.connor@nfib.org,
or Tony Malandra, Senior Media Manager, anthony.malandra@nfib.org

OLYMPIA, Wash., July 14, 2026—The nation’s leading small business association today announced its Guardian of Small Business Award recipients in Washington state, singling out two state lawmakers for special recognition.

Lawmakers were scored on 10 votes in each chamber. Those legislators voting the NFIB position at least 90 percent of the time received NFIB’s Guardian of Small Business Award for the 69th Washington State Legislature.

“It’s easy for officials to claim they support small business. It’s another thing to actually vote with them when faced with tremendous pressure from powerful interest groups, caucus leadership, and partisan colleagues,” said Patrick Connor, state director for NFIB in Washington state. “NFIB’s Guardian Awards recognize those legislators who do more than just talk. They put Main Street, mom-and-pop enterprises first, when it matters most.”

There are 45 legislators receiving this year’s Guardian Award, 16 state senators and 29 House members. Sen. John Braun and Rep. Amy Walen were singled out for special recognition of their outstanding efforts to support NFIB and our state’s small businesses during the 69th Legislature. Click here for a printable list of the recipients.

Senate Guardian of Small Business Awards are Matt Boehnke (100%), Leonard Christian (100%), Perry Dozier (100%), Keith Goehner (100%), Drew MacEwen (100%), Jim McCune (100%), Mark Schoesler (100%), Shelly Short (100%), Nikki Torres (100%), Keith Wagoner (100%), Judy Warnick (100%), Jeff Wilson (100%), John Braun (90%), Phil Fortunato (90%), Chris Gildon (90%), Ron Muzzall (90%).

State representatives awarded as Guardians of Small Business are Andrew Barkis (100%), April Connors (100%), Chris Corry (100%), Travis Couture (100%), Mary Dye (100%), Mark Klicker (100%), Matt Marshall (100%), Stephanie McClintock (100%), Gloria Mendoza (100%), Ed Orcutt (100%), Joshua Penner (100%), Joe Schmick (100%), Drew Stokesbary (100%), Hunter Abell (90%), Stephanie Barnard (90%), Brian Burnett (90%), Rob Chase (90%), Jeremie Dufault (90%), Andrew Engell (90%), Dan Griffey (90%), Cyndy Jacobsen (90%), Michael Keaton (90%), John Ley (90%), Deb Manjarrez (90%), Skyler Rude (90%), David Stuebe (90%), Michelle (Caldier) Valdez (90%), Jim Walsh (90%), Alex Ybarra (90%).

###

For over 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven association. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.

NFIB Washington
111 – 21st Avenue Southwest
Olympia, WA 98501
360-786-8675
NFIB.com
Twitter: @NFIB_WA
Facebook: @NFIB.WA