All states except
Wyoming have a natural resources commissioner who is charged with oversight of the state's natural resources. In 44 states, the natural resources commissioner is a nonpartisan appointee. In 38 of those states, the governor is responsible for appointing the natural resources commissioner, while in the other six some other official or commission holds the power of appointment. In
Texas and
Washington, the natural resources commissioner is a partisan official who is elected in statewide elections.
Arkansas,
South Dakota, and
New Mexico divide the duties that would fall under the office of natural resource commissioner in other states between two offices; a nonpartisan office appointed by the governor and a partisan office filled via election.
Election history
2025
- See also: State executive official elections, 2025
No state is holding elections for natural resources commissioner in 2025.
2024
- See also: State executive official elections, 2024
One state held an election for natural resources commissioner in 2024:
2023
- See also: State executive official elections, 2023
No state held elections for natural resources commissioner in 2023.
2022
- See also: State executive official elections, 2022
Four states held elections for natural resources commissioner in 2022.
Click here for a list of past elections (click to expand)
2021
- See also: State executive official elections, 2021
No state held elections for natural resources commissioner in 2021.
2020
- See also: State executive official elections, 2020
One state held an election for natural resources commissioner in 2020:
2018
- See also: State executive official elections, 2018
Four states held elections for natural resources commissioner in 2018.
2016
One state
held
natural resources commissioner elections in 2016:
2015
No commissioner elections were scheduled for the 2015 electoral cycle.
2014
Four states held natural resource commissioner elections in 2014.
Arkansas
- See also: Arkansas down ballot state executive elections, 2014#Commissioner of State Lands
Incumbent commissioner John Thurston (R) won re-election to a second term in 2014, defeating challengers Mark Robertson (D) and Elvis D. Presley (L) by a 20.6 percent margin.
New Mexico
- See also: New Mexico down ballot state executive elections, 2014#Public Lands Commissioner
Incumbent commissioner Ray Powell (D) sought re-election to a fourth term in 2014 and was defeated by challenger Aubrey Dunn (R) by a 0.2 percent margin.
South Dakota
- See also: South Dakota down ballot state executive elections, 2014#Commissioner of School and Public Lands
Ryan Brunner (R) defeated John English (L) in the open seat election by a 53 percent margin.
Texas
- See also: Texas down ballot state executive elections, 2014#Land Commissioner
George P. Bush (R) defeated David Watts (R) in the primary election, going on to defeat John Cook (D), Justin Knight (L), and Valerie Alessi (G) in the general election by a 25.4 percent margin.
2013
There were no commissioner elections in 2013.
2012
One state held scheduled natural resources commissioner elections in the 2012 electoral cycle: Washington.
Incumbent
Peter Goldmark (D) won re-election on November 6, 2012.
See also
- ↑ In Arkansas, New Mexico, and South Dakota, two offices share responsibilities for natural resource management. In each state, the commissioner of one of those agencies is elected while the other is appointed.
