State Sen. Joe Nguyen will become the new head of the state Department of Commerce.
Governor-elect Bob Ferguson recently appointed Nguyen to lead the agency, which manages a $7.9 billion budget and administers more than 100 programs in housing, energy, community and economic development, local government, and business services. Then he announced.
Nguyen replaces Mike Fung, who was recently appointed Snohomish County’s executive director of economic development.
Nguyen, a white-centered Democrat, represents the 34th Legislative District, which stretches south from Seattle and includes Vashon Island. He was first elected to the state Senate in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022. In 2021, he challenged King County Executive Dow Constantine, a fellow Democrat, but lost.
Nguyen is the chair of the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee, where she has worked to introduce major climate policies such as the Climate Change Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act. He also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.
“Senator Nguyen brings experienced leadership and a strong track record of fighting to improve the lives of Washingtonians to this important agency,” Ferguson said in a press release. “I know he will be committed to making state government work better for our people.”
Mr. Nguyen is the second sitting member of the Cabinet chosen by Mr. Ferguson. Last week, the governor-elect nominated Rep. Tana Sen, D-Mercer Island, to be the next leader of the Department of Children, Youth and Families.
Mr. Nguyen’s appointment begins January 15th. His resignation from Congress will begin the process of replacing him, with the King County Legislature giving final approval for another Democrat to fill his seat. The congressional district he represents is a safe Democratic seat. He won re-election in 2022 with 86% of the vote.
This article is republished from the Washington State Standard, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that provides original reporting, analysis and commentary on Washington state government and politics.
