OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington State Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has officially announced her campaign for governor.

Franz has spent the last seven years leading the department responsible for millions of acres of public lands.

Franz served on the Bainbridge Island City Council and other panels before becoming commissioner.

She says her goals as Governor include building a comprehensive climate action plan, addressing rising housing costs and rent, expanding good-paying jobs and lowering costs for working families.

State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has also launched an exploratory campaign for governor.

Governor Jay Inslee announced on May 1st that he will not seek a fourth term.

A Republican has also announced his intent to run for governor.

Dr. Raul Garcia will make a formal announcement of his candidacy Friday morning, May 12th, in Seattle.

He ran for the Republican nomination in 2020 but did not make it through the primary.

Garcia emigrated from Cuba as a boy, went to medical school in New York, and eventually became an emergency room physician in central Washington.

He is currently the medical director of Toppenish Hospital.