WASHINGTON, USA — Dave Upthegrove has won the Washington state lands commissioner race, beating Republican opponent Jamie Herrera Beutler.
Herrera Beutler released a statement Thursday night saying she called Upthegrove to congratulate him.
"Tonight, I called Dave Upthegrove to congratulate him on a well-run, issues-focused campaign and to wish him success," she wrote, in part.
The Washington commissioner of public lands is responsible for managing nearly 6 million acres of public lands, from working forests to coastal waters, and leading the state's wildfire fighting force.
Upthegrove currently serves as chair of the King County Council. Herrera Beutler recently served as the U.S. representative for Washington's 3rd congressional district.
The commissioner serves a four-year term.
Upthegrove will replace current Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, who ran for representative for U.S. District 6, but lost in a tight race in this year's primary election.
