Commissioner of Public Lands
Featured Candidates
Patrick DePoe
- Party:
- Democratic
- City:
- Seattle, Washington
Education: Graduated from Neah Bay High School in 2000. Holds an associate degree from Edmonds Community College and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Washington.
Work experience: Currently works in executive leadership at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Been an emergency first responder since 2006. Experienced commercial fisherman.
Political experience: Served two three-year terms as an elected tribal council leader for the Makah Tribe.
Family: Married.
Jaime Herrera Beutler
- Party:
- Republican
- City:
- Battle Ground, Washington
Education: Graduated from Prairie High School in 1996. Holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Washington.
Work experience: Self-employed consultant at Columbia Strategic Consulting, LLC.
Political experience: Served as the U.S. representative for Washington’s 3rd congressional district from 2011 to 2023. Served in the Washington House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011.
Family: Married with children.
Sue Kuehl Pederson
- Party:
- Republican
- Age:
- 70
- City:
- Lakewood, Washington
Education: Graduated from Stevenson High School in 1971. Has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Western Washington University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington in 2005.
Work experience: Retired. Former senior environmental analyst at Seattle City Light, former power manager at Grays Harbor Public Utility District.
Political experience: Previously ran for lands commissioner in 2020. Ran for the state Senate in Washington's 19th Legislative District in 2016. Elected as the chair of the Grays Harbor County Republican Party in 2016.
Family: Widowed with two children.
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: He is a 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.
Kevin Van De Wege
- Party:
- Democratic
- City:
- Seattle, Washington
Education: Graduated from Meridian Senior High School in 1993. Holds an associate degree in fire administration from Edmonds Community College and a bachelor’s degree in social science from Washington State University. Has a master’s degree in public education from Fort Hays State University.
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: He is a 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 Jennifer Van De Wege. They have two children.
Complete Coverage
Washington state will soon elect a new lands commissioner in the midst of a climate crisis. Here’s who’s running for office.
As longer, hotter summers continue to light the state’s forests on fire and climate change sparks debates over how best to power the state, Washington state’s next Commissioner of Public Lands will have a lot on their plate.
Washington state Republican Party endorses 6 candidates as races for statewide offices heat up
The candidates who managed to clinch a party endorsement are not guaranteed a spot on the general election ballot come November. However, an endorsement earns them free publicity and fundraising help from the party in the coming months.