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 councilmember, 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, 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, did not seek 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 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 supported strengthening the role of co-management with tribes while Beutler supported continuing Franz's creation of a tribal liaison.

Primary election

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

Democratic candidates

Advanced to general

Dave Upthegrove, King County councilmember (2014–2025)

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.