Key Washington lawmaker: Joel Kretz

Joel Kretz

Hometown: Wauconda

Party: Republican

District: Legislative District 7, which includes parts of north Spokane County as well as Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry counties and part of Okanogan County.

Background: First elected in 2004, Kretz currently serves as the House deputy minority leader, which is the No. 2 Republican leadership position in the chamber. He also serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Rules committees. He’s outspoken on issues involving land-use and wildlife, active in efforts to change state policies on wildfires in the wake of two years of catastrophic burns in his Northeastern Washington district. He’s also worked on compromises on how to control the district’s burgeoning wolf populations, and isn’t above tweaking his Western Washington colleagues by offering to send them some wolves if they are so concerned about their survival.

Last election: Ran unopposed last year.

Age: 60

Terms: Serving his seventh term in the House.

Committee assignments: Member, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Rules committees.

Education: Graduate of Mercer Island High School.

Work experience: Rancher; owns a small timber business; former president of the Okanogan County Farm Bureau.

Family: Married, one adult son.

Office phone: (360) 786-7988

Email: joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov