2016 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election
The 2016 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election was held on November 8, 2016, to elect the Washington Public Lands Commissioner, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the U.S. Senate and various state and local elections, including for [2016 United States House of Representatives 2016 United States Senate elections|elections in Washington|U.S. House] and governor of Washington.
Incumbent Democratic Public Lands Commissioner Peter J. Goldmark retired. Democratic conservation attorney Hilary Franz defeated Republican Steve McLaughlin to succeed Goldmark.
Background
Golmark was first elected in 2008, defeating then-incumbent public lands commissioner Doug Sutherland. He retired after serving two terms.Candidates
Washington is one of two states that holds a top-two primary, meaning that all candidates are listed on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two move on to the general election.Democratic Party
Advanced to general
- Hilary Franz, conservation attorney and former Bainbridge Island city councilor
Eliminated in primary
- Karen Porterfield, nominee of Washington's 8th congressional district in 2012
- John Stillings, former competitive rower
- Dave Upthegrove, King County Councilor
- Mary Verner, former mayor of Spokane
Declined
- Peter J. Goldmark, incumbent public lands commissioner
Republican Party
Advanced to general
- Steve McLaughlin, retired United States Navy Commander
Libertarian Party
Eliminated in primary
- Steven Nielson, former chairman of the Libertarian Party of Washington
Primary election
Results
Five Democrats, one Republican, and one Libertarian competed in the primary. Steve McLaughlin and Hilary Franz finished as the top two and advanced to the general election.General election
Results
By county
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican- Clallam
- Clark
- Cowlitz
- Grays Harbor
- Island
- Mason
- Pacific
- Pierce
- Skagit
- Skamania
- Spokane
- Wahkiakum
- Whitman
By congressional district
Franz won six of ten congressional districts.| District | Franz | McLaughlin | Representative |
| 51% | 49% | Suzan DelBene | |
| 56% | 44% | Rick Larsen | |
| 44% | 56% | Jaime Herrera Beutler | |
| 34% | 66% | Dan Newhouse | |
| 39% | 61% | Cathy McMorris Rodgers | |
| 52% | 48% | Derek Kilmer | |
| 80% | 20% | Jim McDermott | |
| 80% | 20% | Pramila Jayapal | |
| 46% | 54% | Dave Reichert | |
| 68% | 32% | Adam Smith | |
| 52% | 48% | Denny Heck |