Commissioner of Public Lands
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Steve McLaughlin (R) | 347,302 | 38.97% |
| Hilary Franz (D) | 188,630 | 21.17% |
| Dave Upthegrove (D) | 122,489 | 13.75% |
| Mary Verner (D) | 113,614 | 12.75% |
| Karen Porterfield (D) | 44,393 | 4.98% |
| Steven M. Nielson (L) | 42,130 | 4.73% |
| John Stillings (D) | 32,548 | 3.65% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
About the Race
See candidate’s stances on different issues in the issues grid
Featured Candidates
Dave Upthegrove
- Party:
- Democratic
- Age:
- 53
- City:
- Seattle, Washington
Education: Graduated from Lakeside School in Seattle in 1989. Holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in environmental conservation and a graduate certificate from the University of Idaho in energy policy.
Work experience: Previously worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a recreational planner and a state legislative staffer. Has worked off-and-on as a basketball referee for youth and adult leagues.
Political experience: Member and the chair of the King County Council, representing the 5th district since 2014. He served in the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 33rd district, from 2002 to 2013.
Family: Married to Chad Harper. No children.
Campaign finance: Has raised more than $1 million as of Oct. 2, 2024, including more than $7,000 in loans, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Notable donors include the Washington Conservation Action, the The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the Washington Council of Firefighters and the Washington Education Association Political Action Committee.
Mary Verner
- Party:
- Democratic
- Age:
- 68
- City:
- Spokane, WA
Education: Graduated from Houston Academy in Dothan, Alabama, in 1973. Earned bachelor's degree in medical anthropology from Davidson College in 1988, master's degree in environmental studies from Yale University in 1992 and law degree from Gonzaga University in 1992.
Political experience: Appointed Deputy for Wildfire & Administration at Washington Department of Natural Resources in 2013 and continues in that role. Served as the mayor of Spokane from 2007-2011 and Spokane city councilwoman from 2004 to 2007. Member and past chairwoman of City of DuPont Tree Board and the DuPont Heirloom Orchard Committee. Member of the Board of National Institute of Building Sciences.
Work experience: Interim CEO, Spokane Tribe Enterprises from 2012 until 2013. Executive Director of the Upper Columbia United Tribes from 2002-2007. Served as director of natural resources for the Spokane Tribe of Indians for about 10 years. Adjunct professor at Whitworth University
Family: Single. Grown daughter and 18-year-old son. Two grandchildren.
Complete Coverage
Habib, McLaughlin for state offices
In the primary races for lieutenant governor and lands commissioner, the editorial board selected candidates who didn’t advance to the general election. The following are our reassessments in those contests. Lt. Governor: State Sen. Cyrus Habib, D-Bellevue, finished first in a crowded field, collecting a mere 22 percent of the vote. Marty McClendon, a Gig Harbor Republican, finished a close second.
Attorney, ex-Navy officer seek state public lands post
Washington’s next public lands commissioner will be expected to preserve forests, water and habitat in the face of more intense wildfires and a changing climate, while also ensuring revenues from logging, land leases and other operations for school construction and other projects.
Former Spokane Mayor Mary Verner recovering from ‘terrible’ bicycle accident that landed her in ICU
Former Mayor Mary Verner spent 11 days in the ICU following a bicycle accident three weeks ago.
It’ll be Jay Inslee vs. Bill Bryant in Washington governor race
It’s Inslee vs. Bryant for governor and likely Habib vs. McClendon for lieutenant governor as voters whittle down long lists of candidates seeking statewide office.
Verner, Upthegrove top lands commissioner field
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Crowded lands commissioner field wants to take on wildfire preparedness
Seven candidates are vying for the position of Washington’s public lands commissioner. It’s the top job at the state Department of Natural Resources, which manages 5.6 million acres of state lands.
Washington lands commissioner race draws crowd of Democrats
This fall’s race for Washington’s commissioner of public lands – an office that oversees the state’s largest firefighting force and 5.6 million acres of land – is hotly contested since no incumbent is on the ballot.
Mary Verner announces bid for Lands Commissioner
Former Spokane Mayor Mary Verner is venturing back into elective politics as a candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands.
Spokane law erasing some marijuana convictions to go into effect without mayor’s signature
New rules allowing people to erase previous marijuana possession convictions will go into effect at the end of the month, without Spokane Mayor David Condon’s signature or his support.
Most recent Playfair sale compounds city’s losses
The legacy of Playfair Race Course is on display at the commercial park that took its place, as blue steel silhouettes of horse and jockey appear to race across the park’s entryway. Another legacy of the racetrack remains at Spokane City Hall, this one in red ink.
Damage unclear as wildfires sweep region
Much of the devastation from numerous out-of-control Northwest wildfires fanned by high winds was unclear Saturday as officials scrambled to pull in more firefighting resources and douse the flames. There were certainly dozens of homes lost, and hundreds of evacuations remained in place Saturday. A woman died while evacuating the Lawyer Complex in Idaho, according to the Lewiston Tribune.
Fire roundup: More than 100 structures lost in Chelan; dozens of homes lost in central Idaho
The gusting wind overnight may have brought lower temperatures and cleared out the smoky shroud that clung to the Spokane area, but it fanned the flames of several regional fires, forcing new evacuations as flames jumped roads and rivers.