TACOMA, Wash. — Hilary Franz announced Friday that she is dropping out of the race for Washington state's next governor to run for the state’s 6th Congressional District.
Public Lands Commissioner Franz launched a new campaign ad Friday outlining why she is now running for Congress instead of governor.
“In the past months, I've traveled across our state meeting with Washingtonians. We've talked about the progress we've made together and where we still need to go,” Franz said. “The challenges we face today go beyond the borders of our state. So must our solutions.”
Franz highlighted housing prices, reproductive and women’s rights, and climate change as her priorities.
“The 6th Congressional District has always been home. I raised my three boys in Kitsap County, and it's where I began my career in public service as our state lands chief. I've been in every city and small town and I know what our communities were asking for,” Franz said.
Franz is running to fill Rep. Derek Kilmer's seat, who announced he is not seeking election on Thursday.
Kilmer endorsed Franz’s campaign to fill his seat and said she is a "champion for Washington’s working families."
“As lands and wildfire chief, Hilary Franz has proven herself to be a bold, strategic leader with a track record of bringing people together from across the state and from different backgrounds to find solutions to our shared problems,” said Kilmer. "In a time when catastrophic climate events are happening with more frequency, our nation needs Hilary’s experience in Congress, and Washington needs her leadership.”
Franz’s campaign said other endorsements include Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, Kitsap County Commissioner Christine Rolfes, Pierce County Councilmember Ryan Mello, Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson, Aberdeen Mayor Pete Schave, Poulsbo City Councilmember Ed Stern, Tacoma City Councilmember Olgy Diaz, state Rep. Mike Chapman (D-24), and Tacoma Port Commissioner Kristin Ang.
The 6th Congressional District includes most of Tacoma, the Kitsap Pennisula and the Olympic Pennisula.
When Franz launched her campaign for governor on May 10, she highlighted her accomplishments with the Department of Natural Resources.
Franz has served as the Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands since 2016 and is the second woman to be elected to that office. During her time with DNR, she has introduced policies surrounding wildfire prevention, water and land protection and climate resiliency.
“We’ve made Washington a national leader in wildfire prevention and climate action,” Franz said. “After years of national stalling, we don’t have time to waste. In Congress, I’ll work to address the most pressing threats of climate change with the same urgency I’ve brought to my job as lands and wildfire chief.”