New Video Exposes Radical Extremists Behind WA Democrats' Choice for Commissioner of Public Lands

Bellevue - The Washington State Republican Party (WAGOP) has just released a powerful new video exposing the extreme and dangerous agenda of Democrat Public Lands Commissioner candidate Dave Upthegrove and the radical activists who are advising him.

Upthegrove’s reckless pandering and policies would devastate Washington’s working families, destroy vital jobs, and slash critical funding for schools, fire districts, and public safety services across the state.

The video, available now, shines a spotlight on Upthegrove’s plan to close 77,000 acres of working public forests-state trust lands that provide essential revenues for local communities and public services. This extreme move would lead to devastating consequences for thousands of Washingtonians, particularly in rural areas where family-wage jobs depend on responsible forest management. The loss of these jobs would ripple through our economy, hitting working families the hardest.

“These state trust lands were meant to support essential services like public schools, fire districts, and public safety-not to be sacrificed to satisfy the radical environmentalist agenda of Upthegrove and his far-left allies,” says WAGOP Chairman Jim Walsh. “This isn’t just a policy disagreement-it’s a full-scale assault on Washington’s working families, communities, and economy.”

The video also exposes the extremists behind Upthegrove’s campaign, including Brel Froebe of the Center for Responsible Forestry and Joshua Wright of the Legacy Forest Defense Coalition, who hold radical anti-police, anti-business views. Froebe, an outspoken advocate for defunding the police, is a close associate of Upthegrove and has publicly supported his campaign. Wright, another of Upthegrove’s “extreme friends,” has opposed necessary public safety measures and even promoted dangerous rhetoric about “killing the rich.”

The Center for Responsible Forestry and the Legacy Forest Defense Coalition both partner with other extreme anti-forestry groups that promote violent acts, including destroying factories. Dave Upthegrove acknowledged both organizations during an October 9, 2024 endorsement interview with the Seattle Times (see video HERE) when questioned about the extreme groups behind his campaign.

“These are the people advising Dave Upthegrove. Their radical agenda would result in more wildfire smoke, fewer jobs, and less money for schools and public services,” adds Chairman Walsh. “Washington families deserve better. We need leaders who will protect our jobs, our environment, and our communities-not put them at risk.”

In fact, Upthegrove’s policies and alliances are so extreme, even the far-left Seattle Times endorsed his political rival, WAGOP-endorsed candidate for public lands Commissioner Jaime Herrera Beutler, recently.

This is a wake-up call for every Washingtonian who cares about the future of our state’s forests, jobs, and public services. The WAGOP is committed to ensuring that voters understand the true consequences of Dave Upthegrove’s extreme policies.