The natural resources commissioner is a state-level position. The duties of the position vary from state to state, but their general role is maintaining, protecting and regulating natural resources, including state parks, forests and recreation areas.
One state held natural resources commissioner elections in 2016:
Elections by state
HIGHLIGHTS
Incumbent Peter Goldmark (D), though eligible, declined to seek re-election to a third term in 2016.
Former Naval Commander Steve McLaughlin (R) and attorney Hilary Franz (D) placed first and second respectively in the August 2 primary election and competed in the November general election. Given the open election and recent history of Republicans winning election to this office, the seat was considered vulnerable to a shift in party control in 2016.Hilary Franz defeated Steve McLaughlin in the general election, keeping the office in Democratic hands.
| Click [show] to view full details for this race. | |
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Hilary Franz (D)
Most recent position: Executive director, Futurewise
Past experience: Attorney; City Council member, City of Bainbridge Island
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Steve McLaughlin (R)
Most recent position: Private homeland security/counterterrorism director
Past experience: Commander, U.S. Navy
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| Click [show] to the right to view candidates who were defeated in the primary election. | |
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Karen Porterfield (D)
Most recent position: Management consultant, professor
Past experience: Director of development for The Salvation Army
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Mary Verner (D)
Most recent position: Deputy supervisor, Department of Natural Resources
Past experience: Mayor of Spokane, 2007-2011
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Steven Nielson (Lib.)
Most recent position: Quality systems aerospace engineer
Past experience: Former secretary and chairman of the Washington State Libertarian Party
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Other candidates
Ballotpedia uses a variety of standards to determine which candidates will feature prominently in a given race.
John Stillings (D) - general contractor
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General election
Hilary Franz defeated Steve McLaughlin in the Washington commissioner of public lands election.
Primary election
The following candidates ran in the Washington primary for natural resources commissioner.
| Washington primary for natural resources commissioner, 2016 |
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes | | |
Republican |
 Steve McLaughlin |
37.95% |
494,416 | | |
Democratic |
Hilary Franz |
22.80% |
297,074 | | |
Democratic |
Dave Upthegrove |
14.12% |
183,976 | | |
Democratic |
Mary Verner |
12.25% |
159,564 | | |
Libertarian |
Steven Nielson |
4.84% |
63,056 | | |
Democratic |
Karen Porterfield |
4.74% |
61,710 | | |
Democratic |
John Stillings |
3.31% |
43,129 | | Total Votes |
1,302,925 |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State |
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About the office
The natural resources commissioner is a state-level position. The duties of the position vary from state to state, but their general role is maintaining, protecting and regulating natural resources, including state parks, forests and recreation areas.
| Quick facts about Natural Resources Commissioners
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- Wyoming and New Hampshire do not have a natural resource commissioner. In each case, the states' natural resources are overseen by divisions within statewide agriculture and land agencies.
- In New Mexico and South Dakota, two offices share responsibilities for natural resources management in each state.
- Only two states - Texas and Washington - publicly elect their natural resources commissioners
- The position is nonpartisan in all but five states: Alaska, California, Georgia, Washington and Texas
- Salary range: $75,000 (West Virginia) - $175,000 (California)
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Elected vs. appointed
Forty-eight states have a natural resources commissioner, with Wyoming and New Hampshire being the exceptions. The office is appointed either by the governor or a commission in 46 states, with elections for the position held in Texas and Washington.
Past elections
2015
- See also: State executive official elections, 2015
No commissioner elections were scheduled for the 2015 electoral cycle.
To view the full electoral history for insurance commissioners, click [show] to expand the full section. | |
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Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'natural resource commissioner election' OR 'washington natural resource commissioner election' 2016. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
