(Olympia, WA) State Sen. Joe Nguyen will be the new director of the Department of Commerce .
Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson on Thursday announced Nguyen’s appointment to lead the agency, which manages a budget of $7.9 billion and administers more than 100 programs in the areas of housing, energy, community and economic development, local government and business services.
Nguyen will succeed Mike Fong who was recently named Snohomish County’s executive director for economic development.
A White Center Democrat, Nguyen represents the 34th Legislative District , which extends south from Seattle and includes Vashon Island. He was first elected to the state Senate in 2018 and reelected in 2022. In 2021, he challenged King County Executive Dow Constantine, a fellow Democrat, but lost.
Nguyen is chair of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, where he’s worked on implementing major climate policies , including the Climate Commitment Act, and artificial intelligence legislation. He also serves as a vice chair of the Ways & Means Committee.