Washington State Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, a Democrat, has announced her decision to drop out of the race for governor and instead run for Congress to represent Washington's 6th congressional district. Franz, who resides in Grays Harbor County, aims to succeed retiring Representative Derek Kilmer, who has been serving the 6th Congressional District since 2013.

In her announcement on Friday, Franz revealed that she made this decision after engaging with voters across Washington and learning about their concerns, including rising prices, reproductive freedom and women's rights, the future of democracy, support for veterans and military families, and the climate crisis. She emphasized that these challenges extend beyond the borders of Washington and therefore require solutions that go beyond state-level actions.

Franz, who has dedicated the past seven years to leading the department responsible for managing millions of acres of public lands in Washington, highlighted her accomplishments in securing $500 million from the Washington state Legislature in 2021 to prevent and combat wildfires. This achievement showcases her commitment to environmental stewardship and her ability to secure necessary funding for critical initiatives.

Prior to her role as Public Lands Commissioner, Franz served on the Bainbridge Island City Council and the Puget Sound Transportation Futures Task Force, among other panels. She also held the position of executive director at Futurewise, an environmental advocacy group.

With her extensive experience in public service and environmental advocacy, Franz aims to bring her vision for bold and transformative action to the nation's capital and continue fighting for families throughout the region. Her decision to shift her focus to Congress reflects her determination to address the pressing issues that affect not only Washington state but the entire country.