51 votes may have just saved the mature forests in Washington State.
Dave Upthegrove, the only candidate not taking money from the timber industry, just squeaked by as a result of grassroots organizing and mobilization in the race for WA State Public Lands Commissioner.
Our Revolution, founded by Bernie Sanders, played a pivotal role from our work to GOTV in Washington State to our ballot curing efforts. This is why down-ballot work by progressives is so critical.
Upthegrove is the only candidate not funded by the timber industry and the only one who will fight the climate crisis by saving Washington’s mature forests, while working to prevent forest fires and grow the local economy.
Dave will work with local tribes and other communities to map out the best way to deploy more clean energy infrastructure and build more affordable housing.
He served 12 years in the State House, representing the diverse working-class suburbs of South King County, and he would be the first openly gay statewide executive in WA State history!
Dave’s love of the outdoors developed at a young age, spending his summers in high school and college working outdoors, teaching young people about conservation on Dabob Bay, and leading week-long treks through the Cascade Mountains.
HIs interest in politics developed as an environmental activist on campus at the University of Colorado, where he earned his degree in Environmental Conservation and Biology — later earning a graduate certificate in Energy Policy from the University of Idaho.
As a State Rep, Dave Upthegrove chaired the committee to restore the Puget Sound and chaired the House Environment Committee, working in every corner of the State to reduce carbon pollution, clean up toxins, and improve oil spill prevention.
In the Legislature, he helped lead the Blue-Green Alliance — a pro-labor, pro-environment coalition that rejected the false choice between jobs and the environment and found common ground to promote sustainable economic opportunities. Upthegrove was honored as Legislator of the Year by the Washington Conservation Voters.
“I understand that in order to have good jobs and a strong economy, we need to keep Washington State a great place to live,” Dave said. “This means managing our public forests, aquatic lands, and other natural resources in the public interest.”
Dave is the progressive and the strongest environmentalist in the race. He is endorsed by US Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Washington Conservation Action, Sierra Club as well as 50+ Democratic Party organizations.
