By Pepper Fisher
OLYMPIA – State Sen. Kevin Van De Wege of Port Angeles is now the leading fundraiser in the race to be Washington’s next public lands commissioner.
According to filings with the Public Disclosure Commission, Van De Wege has raised $164,000 as of Thursday. Former Third Congressional District Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, a Republican, has raised the second most at $152,000.
King County Council Member Dave Upthegrove, a Democrat, has raised $115,000 as of Thursday morning.
Four other candidates have reported fundraising totals to the PDC in a race to replace outgoing Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, who pulled out of the Governor’s race last week to launch a bid for the US Congressional seat being vacated by Derek Kilmer.
They include:
- Washington state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Rebecca Saldaña, a Democrat who has raised $79,000
- Former state senator Mona Das, a Democrat who has raised $57,000
- Department of Natural Resources Director of Tribal Relations Patrick DePoe, a Democrat who has raised $52,000
- Sue Kuehl Pederson, the 2020 Republican nominee for commissioner of public lands, has raised $2,200