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 (2017–2025) (ran for U.S. House, endorsed DePoe)

Republican candidates Advanced to general Jaime Herrera Beutler, former U.S. Representative from (2011–2023)

Eliminated in primary Sue Kuehl Pederson, retired utility manager and runner-up for public lands commissioner in 2020

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin Patrick Beutler (R) Allen Sue Kuehl Dave Kevin VanOtherUndecidedPublic Policy Polling (D)July 24–25, 2024581 (LV)± 4.0%4%18%3%12%6%5%5%48%Public Policy Polling (D)May 15–16, 2024615 (LV)± 4.0%1%16%5%12%4%2%–58%Public Policy Polling (D)November 14–15, 2023700 (LV)± 3.7%5%18%–14%3%2%11%48%

Forum + 2024 Washington Public Lands Commissioner primary candidate forum Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Democratic Republican Republican Democratic Democratic DemocraticKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Anderson DePoe HerreraBeutler KuehlPederson Lebovitz Upthegrove Van De Wege1 Jul. 18, 2024 League of Women Voters of WashingtonThe ColumbianThe Reflector Craig BrownTVW

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.

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

Clark (largest city: Vancouver)

By congressional district District Upthegrove Herrera Beutler Pederson DePoe Lebovitz Van De Wege Representative 21% 20% 17% 17% 11% 9%Suzan DelBene 22% 20% 20% 15% 11% 8%Rick Larsen 11% 28.8% 29.3% 12% 9% 6%Marie Gluesenkamp Perez 8% 32% 33% 9% 9% 5%Dan Newhouse 12% 27% 30% 9% 11% 7%Cathy McMorris Rodgers 19% 19.8% 20.4% 14% 11% 12%Derek Kilmer 46% 8% 6% 22% 9% 6%Pramila Jayapal 18% 27% 23% 12% 10% 6%Kim Schrier 32% 16% 13% 17% 11% 7%Adam Smith 19% 24% 19% 15% 11% 8%Marilyn Strickland

General election Post-primary endorsements

Polling Poll sourceDate(s)administeredSamplesizeMargin DaveUpthegrove (D) JaimeHerrera Beutler (R)UndecidedPublic Policy Polling (D)October 16–17, 2024571 (LV)± 4.1%46%38%16%Strategies 360October 11–16, 2024600 (RV)± 4.0%47%38%15%Cascade PBS/Elway ResearchOctober 8–12, 2024401 (LV)± 5.0%41%35%24%

Debates & forums + 2024 Washington Public Lands Commissioner debates & candidate forums Date Host Moderator Link Democratic RepublicanKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Dave Upthegrove Jaime Herrera Beutler1 Sep. 18, 2024 Association of Washington Business Bill Lucia TVW 2 Sep. 25, 2024 League of Women Voters of Washingtonand Benton-Franklin CountiesNorthwest Public Broadcasting Matt Loveless YouTube 3 Oct. 2, 2024 The Impact Mike McClanahan TVW 4 Oct. 7, 2024 Society of American Foresters Samantha Chang TVW

Results

By county CountyDave UpthegroveDemocraticJaime Herrera BeutlerRepublicanWrite-inVariousMarginTotal#%#%#%#% Adams 1,182 22.92% 3,962 76.81% 14 0.27% -2,780 -53.90% 5,158 Asotin 3,395 31.12% 7,493 68.69% 20 0.18% -4,098 -37.57% 10,908 Benton 31,896 33.06% 64,393 66.73% 203 0.21% -32,497 -33.68% 96,492 Chelan 15,304 38.08% 24,828 61.78% 54 0.13% -9,524 -23.70% 40,186 Clallam 23,010 49.17% 23,699 50.64% 91 0.19% -689 -1.47% 46,800 Clark 122,529 47.03% 136,098 52.24% 1,916 0.74% -13,569 -5.21% 260,543 Columbia 535 22.58% 1,827 77.12% 7 0.30% -1,292 -54.54% 2,369 Cowlitz 19,536 34.38% 36,881 64.90% 409 0.72% -17,345 -30.52% 56,826 Douglas 6,326 31.18% 13,921 68.62% 41 0.20% -7,595 -37.44% 20,288 Ferry 1,105 27.78% 2,866 72.05% 7 0.18% -1,761 -44.27% 3,978 Franklin 10,443 34.11% 20,127 65.74% 46 0.15% -9,684 -31.63% 30,616 Garfield 243 18.63% 1,060 81.29% 1 0.08% -817 -62.65% 1,304 Grant 9,190 26.56% 25,336 73.23% 73 0.21% -16,146 -46.67% 34,599 Grays Harbor 15,110 41.76% 20,997 58.02% 80 0.22% -5,887 -16.27% 36,187 Island 26,330 52.14% 24,074 47.67% 99 0.20% 2,256 4.47% 50,503 Jefferson 16,360 67.96% 7,687 31.93% 27 0.11% 8,673 36.03% 24,074 King 730,900 67.87% 344,616 32.00% 1,474 0.14% 386,284 35.87% 1,076,990 Kitsap 81,860 54.44% 68,301 45.42% 213 0.14% 13,559 9.02% 150,374 Kittitas 8,943 35.50% 16,206 64.32% 45 0.18% -7,263 -28.83% 25,194 Klickitat 5,112 39.52% 7,739 59.83% 85 0.66% -2,627 -20.31% 12,936 Lewis 12,024 27.68% 31,165 71.73% 258 0.59% -19,141 -44.06% 43,447 Lincoln 1,274 18.39% 5,642 81.45% 11 0.16% -4,368 -63.06% 6,927 Mason 15,518 44.08% 19,599 55.68% 85 0.24% -4,081 -11.59% 35,202 Okanogan 7,371 36.93% 12,538 62.83% 48 0.24% -5,167 -25.89% 19,957 Pacific 5,747 41.93% 7,885 57.53% 74 0.54% -2,138 -15.60% 13,706 Pend Oreille 2,184 26.47% 6,050 73.32% 18 0.22% -3,866 -46.85% 8,252 Pierce 209,423 49.75% 210,804 50.08% 732 0.17% -1,381 -0.33% 420,959 San Juan 8,770 71.22% 3,517 28.56% 27 0.22% 5,253 42.66% 12,314 Skagit 32,131 48.13% 34,495 51.67% 128 0.19% -2,364 -3.54% 66,754 Skamania 2,690 38.61% 4,209 60.40% 69 0.99% -1,519 -21.80% 6,968 Snohomish 209,235 53.08% 184,349 46.77% 613 0.16% 24,886 6.31% 394,197 Spokane 113,724 41.47% 159,989 58.34% 500 0.18% -46,265 -16.87% 274,213 Stevens 6,371 23.15% 21,105 76.68% 46 0.17% -14,734 -53.54% 27,522 Thurston 84,851 53.69% 72,860 46.10% 330 0.21% 11,991 7.59% 158,041 Wahkiakum 985 33.44% 1,935 65.68% 26 0.88% -950 -32.25% 2,946 Walla Walla 11,222 39.36% 17,263 60.55% 24 0.08% -6,041 -21.19% 28,509 Whatcom 76,452 57.73% 55,808 42.14% 175 0.13% 20,644 15.59% 132,435 Whitman 9,122 47.41% 10,080 52.39% 37 0.19% -958 -4.98% 19,239 Yakima 31,533 36.86% 53,717 62.80% 288 0.34% -22,184 -25.93% 85,538Totals1,969,93652.62%1,765,12147.15%8,3940.22%204,8155.47%3,743,451

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

Pierce (largest city: Tacoma) Skagit (largest city: Mount Vernon) Whitman (largest city: Pullman)

By congressional district Upthegrove won six of ten congressional districts, with the remaining four going to Herrera Beutler, including two that elected Democrats. District Upthegrove Herrera Beutler Representative 57% 43%Suzan DelBene 56% 44%Rick Larsen 42% 57%Marie Gluesenkamp Perez 34% 66%Dan Newhouse39%61%Cathy McMorris Rodgers (118th Congress)Michael Baumgartner (119th Congress)54%46%Derek Kilmer (118th Congress)Emily Randall (119th Congress) 79% 21%Pramila Jayapal 46% 54%Kim Schrier 65% 35%Adam Smith 53% 47%Marilyn Strickland

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