As Hilary Franz campaigns for Congress, her tenure as Washington’s public lands commissioner is under scrutiny. Some DNR employees claim her leadership focused more on political gains than public service.
Concerns from DNR Staff
Fifteen current and former DNR employees have expressed concerns about Franz’s leadership, alleging that she used the agency to support her political ambitions:
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Political Pressure on Agency Operations: Employees reported being pressured to organize events and secure endorsements to benefit Franz’s campaigns.
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Internal Dissent: A former communications director faced repercussions for objecting to politically motivated requests, highlighting internal tensions.
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Ethical Concerns: While Franz defends her adherence to state ethics laws, critics argue her management style blurred ethical lines.
Franz’s Defense and Achievements
Franz refutes these allegations, emphasizing her accomplishments:
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Budget and Policy Initiatives: Under her leadership, DNR’s budget increased by nearly 60%, with significant efforts to secure $500 million for wildfire prevention.
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Cultural Shift: DNR spokesperson Joe Smillie acknowledges a cultural shift under Franz, making the agency more responsive to community feedback, though not universally embraced within the agency.
Conclusion
As Franz navigates her political campaign, her leadership at DNR faces scrutiny amid claims of leveraging public resources for political gain. This debate underscores the challenges of balancing public service with political ambitions.
