Franz campaign has raised $1.1 million to date, widening fundraising lead
Tacoma, Washington – Today, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz announced that she has secured the support of 15 of Washington’s 29 federally-recognized Tribes in her campaign for Congress, with the Quileute Tribe endorsing her campaign.
This historic support is a recognition of Franz’s decades-long collaboration with Washington’s Tribal Nations, first as an attorney and now as Commissioner of Public Lands, working hand-in-hand to fight climate change, restore and protect our lands and waters, and uphold Tribal treaty rights. Tribes have stewarded our lands and waters since time immemorial, and Franz is the only candidate they trust to protect our environment.
“I’m deeply honored to have the support of the majority of Washington’s Tribes,” Franz said. “In Congress, I will continue to collaborate closely with Tribal governments, and will work tirelessly to uphold Tribal sovereignty and protect our lands and waters.”
In-district Tribes supporting the Franz campaign include the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Makah Tribe, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Puyallup Tribe, Quileute Tribe, Skokomish Tribe, and Suquamish Tribe. Her campaign is also supported by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Cowlitz Tribe, Lummi Nation, Muckleshoot Tribe, Swinomish Tribe, Tulalip Tribes, Upper Skagit Tribe and Samish Tribe.
Franz’s historic Tribal support comes on the heels of her having secured 37 labor endorsements, more than any non-incumbent congressional candidate in the entire country. To date, the Franz campaign has raised more than $1.1 million – widening her lead over Emily Randall, who announced on Thursday that she has raised less than $700k to date.
Here’s why Tribes are supporting Hilary Franz:
“We admire Hilary’s strong advocacy for environmental protection, sustainable land management, and the preservation of natural resources, all of which align closely with our tribe’s values and priorities. Hilary’s proven track record of effective leadership and commitment to serving the public interest makes her an outstanding candidate for Congress. We believe that Hilary’s experience, integrity, and vision will greatly benefit not only our tribe but also the broader community.” – Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe
“Hilary Franz has demonstrated a unique ability to navigate complex Tribal relationships and strengthen the relationship our Tribe has with DNR. She was instrumental in securing funding to remove toxic pilings from our aquatic lands, to assist us in our response to Electron Dam’s catastrophic dumping of turf into our sacred Puyallup River and to develop a program to remove all DNR fish passage barrier culverts by the end of 2024. We will always work to preserve and protect our precious lands and waters, and she has proved to be a strong ally.” – Puyallup Tribe
“The Colville Tribes truly appreciate the work Hilary Franz has done as Commissioner of Public Lands to partner with tribes and to protect the environment. Over the past 8 years, Commissioner Franz has traveled to the Colville Reservation to visit and support our communities. During the Colville Tribes’ darkest time of struggle with fire control, Commissioner Franz provided extensive air assets, fire crews, and other assistance to protect our lands.” – Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
“Hilary has been a tireless champion throughout our state and the Snohomish watershed, protecting and restoring our forests and habitat for salmon recovery, removing fish passage barriers and derelict structures and vessels, creating the first ever kelp and eelgrass protection zone, and pushing for riparian protection and restoration on our waterways.” – Tulalip Tribes
About Hilary Franz
Franz’s roots in the Sixth District run deep – she grew up spending time and working on her grandparents’ farm near the Tacoma Mall, where they first settled in 1938. She lives in Grays Harbor County, raised her three boys in Kitsap County, and has a long history of public service in the district. Prior to serving as Lands Commissioner, Franz served on the Bainbridge Island City Council from 2008-2011, where she secured significant federal investments in transportation infrastructure, developed affordable housing policies, secured protections on critical fish and wildlife habitat, and launched a nationally recognized energy efficiency program.
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