Gov.-elect Ferguson taps state Sen. Joe Nguyễn to direct WA Department of Commerce
Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson announced Dec. 26 that state Sen. Joe Nguyễn will direct the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Nguyễn, a West Seattle Democrat, will help oversee programs related to economic and community development, with issues ranging from housing to clean energy, according to a Dec. 26 news release. His appointment takes effect Jan. 15.
“Senator Nguyễn brings experienced leadership and a strong record on fighting to improve the lives of Washingtonians to this critical agency,” Ferguson said in the release. “I know he will help ensure state government works better for the people.”
Nguyễn was first elected in 2018. Since then he has carved out a reputation for being an advocate for economic justice, equity and community empowerment, per the news release. The state senator, born to Vietnamese refugees, has sought to topple systemic hurdles and create opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
Nguyễn has spearheaded efforts to help marginalized residents and working families, including pushes to bolster Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), broaden the Working Families Tax Credit and secure funding for clean-energy and affordable-housing innovation, the news release states.
On Dec. 23 Ferguson announced that Kathryn Leathers will helm the Department of Retirement Systems. The week of Dec. 16 the Democrat revealed several cabinet reappointments, including to the departments of archaeology and historic preservation and labor and industries. He also recently picked another lawmaker, state Rep. Tana Senn, a Mercer Island Democrat, to lead the Department of Children, Youth and Families.
The governor-elect said in November that he intended to choose new leadership for nine state agencies.
This story was originally published December 27, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
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