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2024 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election

← 2020 November 5, 2024 2028 →

Candidate Dave Upthegrove Jaime Herrera Beutler Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,969,936 1,765,121 Percentage 52.62% 47.15%

County results Congressional district resultsCounty results Upthegrove:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Beutler:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Public Lands Commissioner before election Hilary Franz Democratic Elected Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove Democratic

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v t e

The 2024 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election was held on November 5, 2024. Democrat Dave Upthegrove, a King County councilman, defeated Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler, a former U.S. Representative from Washington's 3rd congressional district. The top-two primary was held on August 6. Incumbent Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, did not seek a third term in office, opting to run instead for governor. The primary saw a close race with the Democratic vote split across five candidates, causing a recount in order to determine the winners and narrowly avoiding a lockout for the Democratic Party.

Background

Current Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, is not seeking a third term. She initially chose to run for governor, later dropping out of that race to instead run for the U.S. House. During the primary election, the race drew many candidates, including five Democrats and two Republicans. It was suggested that the numerous Democratic candidates might split the vote enough so that the two Republican candidates might advance to the general election, locking out Democrats from the office.

The results of the primary election had Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler lead while the second-place position remained tight between Democrat Dave Upthegrove and Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson, with a margin of only 51 votes between the two. This triggered an automatic hand recount per Washington state laws. After a recount and certification of the results showed Upthegrove with a lead of 49 votes, he advanced to the general election thus ensuring that Democrats would not be locked out of the general election.

During their campaigns, both Upthegrove and Beutler focused on the protection and management of forests and public lands albeit with differing views of how such aims would be achieved. Upthegrove emphasized preservation of public lands, especially legacy forests (mature natural forests), and maintaining a balance between conservation and economical value of the forests. Beutler focused on the generation of revenue via logging and other activities to keep lands economically and environmentally sustainable, claiming that excessive preservation of legacy forests can lead to susceptibility to disease, raise wildfire risks, and reduce the stream of revenue on which schools and other public services rely. On tribal issues, Upthegrove supports strengthening the role of co-management with tribes while Buetler supports continuing Franz's creation of a tribal liaison.

Primary election

Washington is one of two states that holds a top-two primary, meaning that all candidates are listed on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two move on to the general election.

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

• Dave Upthegrove, King County councilor (2014–present)

Eliminated in primary

• Jeralee Anderson, Redmond city councilor (2021–present)
• Patrick DePoe, director of tribal relations for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources
• Allen Lebovitz, wildland fire and forest health liaison for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources
• Kevin Van De Wege, state senator from the 24th district (2017–present)

Withdrawn

• Mona Das, former state senator from the 47th district (2019–2023)
• Rebecca Saldaña, state senator from the 37th district (2016–present)

Declined

• Hilary Franz, incumbent Public Lands Commissioner (2017–present) (ran for U.S. House, endorsed DePoe)

Republican candidates

Advanced to general

• Jaime Herrera Beutler, former U.S. Representative from Washington's 3rd congressional district (2011–2023)

Eliminated in primary

• Sue Kuehl Pederson, retired utility manager and runner-up for Public Lands Commissioner in 2020

Endorsements

U.S. Representatives

• Dan Newhouse, U.S. Representative from Washington's 4th congressional district (2015-present)

Statewide officials

• Dan Evans, governor of Washington (1965-1977)

Individuals

• Joe Kent, project manager

Labor unions

• Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers
• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 5

Organizations

• Mainstream Republicans of Washington
• Washington Association of Police Organizations
• Washington Farm Bureau

Newspapers

• The Columbian
• The Everett Herald
• The Seattle Times

Tribes

• Yakama Nation

Political parties

• Washington State Republican Party

Statewide officials

• Hilary Franz, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands (2017–present)

Labor unions

• Washington Education Association

Tribes

• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Newspapers

• The Seattle Times

Statewide officials

• Peter Goldmark, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands (2009–2017)

Organizations

• 314 Action
• LGBTQ Victory Fund
• Sierra Club

Newspapers

• The Stranger

State legislators

• Claudia Kauffman, state senator

Local officials

• Tina Podlodowski, former Seattle city councilor and former chair of the Washington State Democratic Party

Organizations

• Latino Victory Fund

Polling

Forum

Results

A top-two primary took place on August 6. All candidates were listed on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two advanced to the general election in November. Results were certified by county canvassing boards on August 20, showing Democrat Dave Upthegrove in second place, with a margin of only 51 votes (0.0027% of the total votes) over Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson, enough to trigger an automatic hand recount per Washington state laws.

On September 3, hand recounts returned with Upthegrove holding a 53-vote margin over Pederson. Results were certified on September 4, with Dave Upthegrove holding a final margin of 49 votes over Sue Kuehl Pederson, ensuring that Democrats would not be locked out of the general election.

General election

Polling

Debates & forums

Results

By congressional district

Upthegrove won six of 10 congressional districts, with the remaining four going to Herrera Beutler, including two that elected Democrats.

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. Jeralee Anderson (D) with 5%
3. Rebecca Saldaña (D) with 6%; Mona Das (D) with 5%
4. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

Partisan clients

1. ^ Poll conducted for The Cascadia Advocate

References

1. "Upthegrove elected WA lands commissioner". The Seattle Times. November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
2. "2024 State Primary Election Dates". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
3. "Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz announces run for governor". AP News. May 10, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
4. Cornfield, Jerry (November 10, 2023). "Franz halts bid for WA governor, sets sights on Congress • Washington State Standard". Washington State Standard. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
5. Robertson, Kipp (September 3, 2024). "Upthegrove will advance to November election for commissioner of public lands after hand recount". king5.com. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
6. ^ Brunner, Jim (November 10, 2023). "WA lands commissioner Hilary Franz drops out of governor's race to run for Congress". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
7. Greenstone, Scott (July 31, 2024). "Will the race for Washington land commissioner come down to two Republicans?". www.kuow.org. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
8. ^ Buhain, Venice (September 18, 2024). "5 takeaways from the WA public lands commissioner debate | Cascade PBS". www.cascadepbs.org. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
9. ^ Lucia, Bill (August 21, 2024). "Washington lands commissioner race heads toward recount • Washington State Standard". Washington State Standard. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
10. ^ Villeneuve, Andrew (September 4, 2024). "Dave Upthegrove emerges victorious from hand recount in tight Lands Commissioner race". NPI's Cascadia Advocate. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
11. Demkovich, Laurel (October 16, 2024). "Herrera Beutler and Upthegrove square-off in WA lands commissioner debate". Washington State Standard. Retrieved October 21, 2024 – via Oregon Public Broadcasting.
12. ^ Villeneuve, Andrew (July 6, 2023). "Mona Das formally launches 2024 candidacy for Washington Commissioner of Public Lands". The Cascadia Advocate. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
13. "PRIMARY 2024 Candidate List". voter.votewa.gov. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
14. ^ Sowersby, Shauna (September 8, 2023). "Makah Tribal member Patrick DePoe announces bid for WA public lands commissioner". The Olympian.
15. ^ Withycombe, Claire (April 11, 2024). "Sen. Saldaña suspends campaign for WA lands commissioner". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
16. Haas, Ryan (October 10, 2023). "Former US Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler confirms run for Washington lands commissioner". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
17. ^ https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article292975944.html
18. Roland, Mitchell (April 10, 2024). "Joe Kent endorses Jaime Herrera Beutler's bid for public lands post". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
19. https://www.iupatdc5.org/news/iupat-dc5-endorses-candidates-in-washington-primary
20. "Endorsements". Mainstream Republicans of Washington. May 5, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
21. https://www.legistorm.com/stormfeed/view_rss/2102616/member/2806/title/jaime-herrera-beutler-endorsed-by-washington-council-of-police-and-sheriffs.html
22. https://wsfb.com/media/dynamic/files/798-2024-wfb-pac-general-election-endorsements.pdf
23. https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/oct/18/in-our-view-herrera-beutler-for-commissioner-of-public-lands/
24. https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-herrera-beutler-best-to-lead-public-lands-mission/
25. https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/the-seattle-times-editorial-board-recommends-jaime-herrera-beutler-for-wa-lands-commissioner/
26. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/wa-lands-commissioner-general-election-where-candidates-stand-on-key-issues/
27. Nir, David (April 22, 2024). "Daily Kos Elections Live Digest: 4/22". Daily Kos. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
28. "2024 Endorsements". Washington Education Association. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
29. "Colville Tribes endorse Patrick DePoe for commissioner of public lands of Washington". Source ONE. October 23, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
30. "The Seattle Times editorial board recommends: Patrick DePoe for public lands commissioner". The Seattle Times. June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
31. Villenueve, Andrew (May 24, 2024). "Democratic Party still at risk of general election lockout in 2024 Commissioner of Public Lands race, NPI poll finds". The Cascadia Advocate. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
32. "3.14 Action Fund Endorses Dave Upthegrove for Washington State Land Commissioner" (PDF). 314 Action. October 5, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
33. LeDonne, Sarah. "LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses 23 More Candidates for 2023 and 2024". LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
34. ^ Breda, Isabella; Zhou, Amanda (September 3, 2024). "WA lands commissioner recount results: Democrat Upthegrove poised to advance to general". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
35. "The Stranger's Endorsements for the August, 6, 2024 Primary Election". July 31, 2024.
36. "Latino Victory Fund Endorses Emily Randall for Congress and Rebecca Saldaña for Public Lands Commissioner". Latino Victory. February 28, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
37. Public Policy Polling (D)
38. Public Policy Polling (D)
39. Public Policy Polling (D)
40. Hunter, Steve (August 20, 2024). "Upthegrove has 51-vote lead for 2nd in state lands commissioner race". Kent Reporter. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
41. Buhain, Venice (September 3, 2024). "Upthegrove retains spot in Public Lands general election race". Cascade PBS. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
42. "Upthegrove advances in WA Commissioner of Public Lands race after statewide recount". Yahoo News. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
43. "Certification of Results" (PDF). Washington Secretary of State.
44. "Certification of Recount" (PDF). Office of the Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
45. Public Policy Polling (D)
46. Strategies 360
47. Cascade PBS/Elway Research
48. "Official Canvass of the Returns" (PDF). Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
49. Results (PDF). sos.wa.gov (Report).

External links

Official campaign websites

• Jamie Herrera Beutler (R) for Public Lands Commissioner
• Patrick DePoe (D) for Public Lands Commissioner
• Sue Kuehl Pedersen (R) for Public Lands Commissioner
• Dave Upthegrove (D) for Public Lands Commissioner
• Kevin Van De Wege (D) for Public Lands Commissioner

• 2024 Washington (state) elections
• November 2024 events in the United States