Tight Public Lands Commissioner race hinges on timber harvesting

Most down ballot elections draw little attention, but not this year when it comes to Washington’s Public Lands Commissioner.

Heading into the November balloting, former Congresswoman Jaimie Herrera-Beutler, a Republican from southwest Washington, faces Democrat King County Council member Dave Upthegrove, who in the last primary election recount, had a razor-thin edge (51 votes) over Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson.

It has been the closest statewide Washington election in two decades. In 2004, Democrat Christine Gregoire (D) was declared winner in the governor’s race by 133 votes over Dino Rossi...