In a major political shake-up for Washington's 2024 elections, state Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz is dropping out of the gubernatorial race to run for Congress.
In an announcement to be made public Friday morning, Franz will announce she's running to represent the 6th Congressional District — with the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, the Gig Harbor Democrat who abruptly announced yesterday he won't seek a seventh term.
Franz, a Democrat who has served as state lands chief since 2017, said her decision was made after talking with voters around the state about their concerns, such as rising prices, protecting abortion rights and the climate crisis.
"The challenges we face extend beyond the borders of Washington, and so must our solutions. 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," she said in the announcement and in a new campaign video.
But since announcing her gubernatorial campaign in May, Franz had struggled to gain momentum, lagging in fundraising behind two fellow Democrats: Attorney General Bob Ferguson and state Sen. Mark Mullet.
She also had been losing out to Ferguson on major endorsements from environmental and abortion-rights groups and prominent Democratic-elected officials. (That included Kilmer, who had endorsed Ferguson for governor.)
Kilmer, in a statement endorsing Franz, called her "a bold, strategic leader" and a champion in the fight against climate change.
"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," he said.
In her announcement, Franz, 53, said she lives in Grays Harbor County, which is in the 6th District. She also previously lived in the district when she served on the Bainbridge Island City Council from 2008 to 2011.
Until recently, Franz had been listed as voting at a home she owns in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood, according to registration records. (The residency issue doesn't legally matter for a run for Congress, as the U.S. Constitution specifies only that members of the House be over 25 years old and residents of the state in which they're running.)
Despite the effort by Kilmer to line up an orderly line of succession in the race to succeed him, some state lawmakers have signaled they may compete in next year's primary, including state Sen. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, who said Thursday she's considering a run.
Republican state Sen. Drew MacEwen of Mason County also confirmed in a social media message on Friday morning that he's forming an exploratory committee to consider running for the seat.
It remains to be seen how Franz's exit from the gubernatorial race will play out, but it could benefit Mullet, who is seeking to build a moderate Democratic and independent vote coalition as an alternative to Ferguson.
On the Republican side, former congressman Dave Reichert is the leading fundraiser and best-known contender for governor. Semi Bird, a military veteran and businessman who was recently recalled from his position on the Richland School Board, is also campaigning energetically and has racked up several GOP county organization endorsements.
