Mary Verner
Mary Verner was a Democratic candidate for Washington commissioner of public lands in the 2016 elections.[1] She was defeated in the primary election.
Biography
Vernon grew up in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She has worked as a municipal broker, marine biology teacher, U.S.O. volunteer, legal assistant, and as the environmental programs manager for the Territorial Government of the Virgin Islands. She earned her an undergraduate degree in medical anthropology from Davidson College, a master of environmental management from Yale University, and a juris doctor from Gonzaga University.
Vernon moved to Spokane, Washington in 1992 and began working with the Spokane Tribe on environmental conservation efforts. She served as mayor of Spokane from 2007 until 2011, after which time after which time she worked as the C.E.O. of Spokane Tribal Enterprises. In 2013, she joined the Department of Natural Resources as the deputy supervisor for Resource Protection & Administration.[2][3]
Education
- B.A. medical anthropology, Davidson College
- M.E.M., Yale University (1992)
- J.D., Gonzaga University (1999)
Elections
2016
- Main article: Washington Natural Resources Commissioner election, 2016
Verner filed to run as a Democratic candidate in the 2016 election for Washington commissioner of public lands.[1] She competed with four other Democrats, one Republican and one Libertarian in the August 2 top-two primary election. Verner was defeated in the primary election by former Naval Commander Steve McLaughlin (R) and attorney Hilary Franz (D).
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 | ||||
Campaign finance
| Mary Verner Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
| To date | As of August 2, 2016 | $ | $33,736.40 | $(23,617.79) | $ | ||||
| Running totals | |||||||||
| $33,736.4 | $(23,617.79) | ||||||||
Campaign themes
2016
Verner's campaign website stated her support for measures to combat climate change, the protection natural assets from degradation by human development and urban expansion, and the implementation of forest management practices that address forest fire risks, habitat destruction, and access to outdoor recreation.[3]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Washington Secretary of State, "2016 candidates who have filed," accessed May 23, 2016
- ↑ Washington State Department of Natural Resources, "Washington State Department of Natural Resources hires Mary Verner: Verner to Join DNR Executive Management Team," May 8, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mary Verner for Public Lands, "About Mary," accessed July 20, 2016
