Gov. Chris Gregoire announced Monday the appointment of Sen. Cheryl Pflug (R-Maple Valley) to the Washington Growth Management Hearings Board. Effective July 1, Pflug will serve a six-year term as the Central Puget Sound representative serving King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap counties.
Pflug, the incumbent in Washington's 5th District, withdrew her candidacy for re-election on Monday, May 21, the deadline for candidates to officially withdraw from the race, leaving Democrat Mark Mullet, of Issaquah, and Republican Brad Toft, of Snoqualmie, alone in the field for the state Senate seat. Board members can't serve in the Legislature, according to the governor's office. According to the Seattle Times, Pflug did not endorse Toft, however.
“Cheryl is well respected by both sides of the aisle as an effective problem solver and has served her constituents well,” Gregoire said in a news release announcing the appointment. “Her legislative experience and commitment to serve will be a great asset to the work of the board and I welcome her to this new role.”
Pflug was one of a handful of Republicans to in Washington state.
“It is an honor and privilege to receive this appointment by Governor Gregoire,” Pflug said. “I am excited for the opportunity to continue serving the citizens of our great state in another capacity and look forward to the challenges ahead.”
The Growth Management Board was enacted in 1990 and rules on disputes that arise from county and city growth-planning policies in the state. The board has representation from three unique geographical and regional areas in the state, including the Eastern region for counties and cities east of the Cascade Mountains, the Central Puget Sound region and the Western region for counties and cities west of the Cascade Mountains.
Pflug has a bachelor’s of science in nursing from the University of Washington and is currently completing her law degree at the Seattle University School of Law. Pflug is an active member of her community, serving as a board member to the Washington Trails Association, Maple Valley Chamber of Commerce and Sammamish Symphony.
The board is comprised of six members who earn a salary of $92,500 per year, each serving six-year terms appointed by the governor.
