# 2024 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election

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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

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

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Patrick DePoe (D) | Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) | Allen Lebovitz (D) | Sue Kuehl Pederson (R) | Dave Upthegrove (D) | Kevin Van De Wege (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | July 24–25, 2024 | 581 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 4% | 18% | 3% | 12% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 48% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | May 15–16, 2024 | 615 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 1% | 16% | 5% | 12% | 4% | 2% | – | 58% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | November 14–15, 2023 | 700 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 5% | 18% | – | 14% | 3% | 2% | 11% | 48% |

### Forum

2024 Washington Public Lands Commissioner primary candidate forum :
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Democratic | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | | | | | | | |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Anderson | DePoe | Herrera Beutler | Kuehl Pederson | Lebovitz | Upthegrove | Van De Wege |
| 1 | Jul. 18, 2024 | League of Women Voters of Washington The Columbian The Reflector | Craig Brown | TVW | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |

### 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.
Blanket primary election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jaime Herrera Beutler | 419,309 | 22.033 |
| | Democratic | Dave Upthegrove | 396,304 | 20.824 |
| | Republican | Sue Kuehl Pederson | 396,255 | 20.821 |
| | Democratic | Patrick DePoe | 267,944 | 14.079 |
| | Democratic | Allen Lebovitz | 194,118 | 10.200 |
| | Democratic | Kevin Van De Wege | 143,174 | 7.523 |
| | Democratic | Jeralee Anderson | 84,353 | 4.432 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 1,658 | 0.087 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,903,115 | 100.0 |

## General election
### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Dave Upthegrove (D) | Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | October 16–17, 2024 | 571 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 46% | 38% | 16% |
| Strategies 360 | October 11–16, 2024 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 47% | 38% | 15% |
| Cascade PBS/Elway Research | October 8–12, 2024 | 401 (LV) | ± 5.0% | 41% | 35% | 24% |

### Debates & forums

2024 Washington Public Lands Commissioner debates & candidate forums :
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Republican |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | | |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Dave Upthegrove | Jaime Herrera Beutler |
| 1 | Sep. 18, 2024 | Association of Washington Business | Bill Lucia | TVW | P | P |
| 2 | Sep. 25, 2024 | League of Women Voters of Washington and Benton-Franklin Counties Northwest Public Broadcasting | Matt Loveless | YouTube | P | P |
| 3 | Oct. 2, 2024 | The Impact | Mike McClanahan | TVW | P | P |
| 4 | Oct. 7, 2024 | Society of American Foresters | Samantha Chang | TVW | P | P |

### Results

2024 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Dave Upthegrove | 1,969,936 | 52.62% | −4.07% |
| | Republican | Jaime Herrera Beutler | 1,765,121 | 47.15% | +3.94% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 8,394 | 0.22% | +0.12% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,743,451 | 100.00% | N/A |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### By congressional district

Upthegrove won six of 10 congressional districts, with the remaining four going to Herrera Beutler, including two that elected Democrats.
| District | Upthegrove | Herrera Beutler | Representative |
| 1st | 57% | 43% | Suzan DelBene |
| 2nd | 56% | 44% | Rick Larsen |
| 3rd | 42% | 57% | Marie Gluesenkamp Perez |
| 4th | 34% | 66% | Dan Newhouse |
| 5th | 39% | 61% | Cathy McMorris Rodgers (118th Congress) |
| 5th | 39% | 61% | Michael Baumgartner (119th Congress) |
| 6th | 54% | 46% | Derek Kilmer (118th Congress) |
| 6th | 54% | 46% | Emily Randall (119th Congress) |
| 7th | 79% | 21% | Pramila Jayapal |
| 8th | 46% | 54% | Kim Schrier |
| 9th | 65% | 35% | Adam Smith |
| 10th | 53% | 47% | Marilyn Strickland |