2020 Voters Guide
Commissioner of Public LandsAn Introduction | The Commissioner of Public Lands is the head of the Department of Natural Resources, overseeing the management of 5 million acres of forest, agricultural range, tidal and shore lands of the state, and public rulemaking of public lands use. This agency engages the states tribes in a variety of ways.
Hilary Franz
Prefers Democratic Party
Franz has represented local governments, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups on a broad range of land use and environmental law issues. She is a graduate of Smith College and Northeastern University Law School. She was first elected Commissioner in 2016.
Sue Kuehl Pederson
Prefers Republican Party
Kuehl Pederson is the former Chair of the Grays Harbor Republican Party. She has worked for the UW, NOAA Fisheries, Army Corps of Engineers, WA Department Fish & Wildlife, King County DNR, Seattle City Light, and Grays Harbor PUD. She has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the UW, and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology from WWU.