Washington state Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has announced that she will be dropping her bid for the governor’s office in order to run for Congress. Franz, a Democrat residing in Grays Harbor County, aims to replace retiring Rep. Derek Kilmer, who has served the 6th Congressional District since 2013.
In her announcement on Friday, Franz stated that her decision to run for Congress was influenced by conversations with voters across Washington. Through these discussions, she became aware of their concerns, which include rising prices, reproductive freedom and women’s rights, the future of democracy, the support of veterans and military families, and the climate crisis.
“The challenges we face extend beyond the borders of Washington, and so must our solutions,” Franz said in a statement. “I am running for Congress to bring my vision for bold, transformative action to our nation’s capital and keep fighting for families across our region.”
Franz’s experience over the past seven years leading the department responsible for managing millions of acres of public lands in Washington has been a key aspect of her campaign. She has highlighted her success in securing $500 million from the Washington state Legislature in 2021 to prevent and combat wildfires.
Prior to her role as Public Lands Commissioner, Franz served on the Bainbridge Island City Council, the Puget Sound Transportation Futures Task Force, and other panels. Additionally, she held the position of executive director of Futurewise, an environmental advocacy group.
Franz’s decision to shift her focus from the governor’s office to Congress reflects her commitment to addressing the broader issues facing not only Washington state but the entire nation. With her experience in environmental advocacy and public land management, Franz aims to bring bold and transformative solutions to the nation’s capital and continue advocating for the well-being of families in her region.
