Natural Resources Commissioner elections, 2016

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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:

• Washington

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.

Hilary Franz (D) Most recent position: Executive director, Futurewise Past experience: Attorney; City Council member, City of Bainbridge Island Steve McLaughlin (R) Most recent position: Private homeland security/counterterrorism director Past experience: Commander, U.S. Navy Click [show] to the right to view candidates who were defeated in the primary election.   Karen Porterfield (D) Most recent position: Management consultant, professor Past experience: Director of development for The Salvation Army Dave Upthegrove (D) Most recent position: King County councilmember since 2013 Past experience: State Rep., 2001-2013 Mary Verner (D) Most recent position: Deputy supervisor, Department of Natural Resources Past experience: Mayor of Spokane, 2007-2011 Steven Nielson (Lib.) Most recent position: Quality systems aerospace engineer Past experience: Former secretary and chairman of the Washington State Libertarian Party Other candidates Ballotpedia uses a variety of standards to determine which candidates will feature prominently in a given race. John Stillings (D) - general contractor General election Hilary Franz defeated Steve McLaughlin in the Washington commissioner of public lands election. Washington Natural Resources Commissioner, 2016 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Hilary Franz 53.16% 1,630,369      Republican Steve McLaughlin 46.84% 1,436,817 Total Votes 3,067,186 Source: Washington Secretary of State 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

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

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)

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.

2014 Main article: State executive official elections, 2014 One state held scheduled natural resources commissioner elections in 2014: Texas. George P. Bush (R) won the seat on November 4, 2014. 2013 Main article: State executive official elections, 2013 There were no commissioner elections in 2013. 2012 Main article: State executive official elections, 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.

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.

Natural Resources Commissioner elections, 2016 - Google News

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