Peter Goldmark, who ran for Congress in the 5th CD in 2006, is kicking off his campaign for Washington State Lands Commissioner.
It’s exciting to see a democrat from Eastern Washington have a real shot at statewide office.
Here’s more on Peter (from his website):
Peter Goldmark, a second generation wheat and cattle rancher from Okanogan County will run for Commissioner of Public Lands in the 2008 election. Goldmark, a past WSU Regent and former State Director of Agriculture, believes it’s time for a change of leadership and perspective in the office, currently held by Republican Doug Sutherland. Goldmark will run as a Democrat.
“From the perspective of rural communities, school districts, users and neighbors of our state lands, we see a Commissioner that is too tied to corporate interests, too focused on short term profits at the expense of long term planning, and frankly not listening to the people impacted by his decisions in Olympia,” said Goldmark. “I’ll bring a unique perspective to the office-a voice for rural Washington, for long term conservation goals, and sustainable resources and revenues for our communities and educational institutions”.
A longtime School Board member in Okanogan County, Goldmark also understands the unique role of state forest lands in providing dollars for struggling rural schools.
“When the current commissioner sells public land for development or timber at fire sale prices, it hurts our schools and sacrifices future use and revenue from that land,” said Goldmark. “We cannot lose sight of our paramount duty as a state, and this critical role of the office.”
Goldmark says that if elected he will focus on ending below cost logging contracts, carefully monitor sale of public land to developers, and end policies that threaten water supply and quality for farms and fish-such as sale of land to private developers or logging practices close to stream headwaters, increasing erosion and degrading water quality.
“We are facing the twin threats of rapid growth and climate change,” said Goldmark. “Many of the values we hold dear-our green forests and green fields-are under threat from diminished snow melt, sprawling development and conversion. Our public lands need to be carefully managed for the future of all Washington citizens, not short term corporate profits.”
While making his campaign official today, Goldmark plans to formally launch his campaign after the summer harvest, likely late August or early September.
“I’m looking forward to planting the seeds of my campaign right after harvest,” said Goldmark, who with his wife Wendy operates the family’s 8,000 acre ranch outside of Okanogan . “I plan to visit communities across the state over the next 18 months, and I look forward to bringing new leadership to this critical office.”