- Source: 2024 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election
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 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
== 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
=Notes
Partisan clients
References
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
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Invasi Ukraina oleh Rusia
- Yordania
- 2024 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election
- 2024 Washington gubernatorial election
- 2024 Washington elections
- 2024 Washington House of Representatives election
- 2024 Washington State Senate election
- 2024 Washington Secretary of State election
- 2024 Washington State Auditor election
- 2024 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election
- 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington
- 2024 Washington Attorney General election
