MADISON, Wis. – In the recent primary held on Tuesday, the incumbent state schools leader, backed by the Democratic Party, will challenge a Republican-supported opponent. Both candidates emerged victorious in a competitive three-person race.
The general election scheduled for April 1 will determine the individual responsible for shaping educational policies in Wisconsin during the second term of President Donald Trump.
Jill Underly, the current state superintendent and a proponent of public education, successfully advanced alongside Brittany Kinser, who advocates for private school vouchers and public charter schools. The third candidate, Jeff Wright, a rural school superintendent, did not secure enough votes to continue in the race.
Underly, who was elected in 2021 with strong support from Democrats and educators’ unions, has consistently portrayed herself as an advocate for public education. She has expressed that her successful primary run indicates a significant appreciation from voters for their public schools.
“Voters are dedicated to ensuring their public schools remain vibrant, providing every child the chance to succeed,” Underly remarked. She has received endorsements from the Wisconsin Democratic Party and notable financial support amounting to $106,000 this month, alongside backing from several Democratic politicians.
Interestingly, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the primary teachers’ union in the state, did not officially endorse any candidate during the primary. Their political action committee previously recommended Wright for endorsement, which highlighted internal divisions among educators.
Wright, who has previously run for the state Assembly, attempted to appeal to Underly’s support base with endorsements from the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators and the Middleton-Cross Plains teachers’ union.
In a strategic move, Kinser, an education consultant, extended an invitation to Wright’s supporters who expressed dissatisfaction with Underly’s leadership, encouraging them to join her campaign. “I am welcoming Jeff and his supporters to unite with us to uplift educational standards for all children in Wisconsin,” Kinser stated.
As for Wright, he is contemplating his next steps and has not yet decided on an endorsement, according to his spokesperson, Tyler Smith.
Kinser receives substantial backing from the Republican Party, which has allocated $200,000 to her campaign thus far. Underly has criticized Kinser for prioritizing the expansion of voucher programs, suggesting such policies threaten the integrity of public schools.
In response, Kinser insists that her campaign is committed to elevating student achievement, regardless of the type of institution they attend.
Wisconsin stands out as the only state where the top education official is elected, and it lacks a state board of education. This setup grants the individual in charge of the Department of Public Instruction extensive authority, including budget distribution for schools and managing teacher licensure.
The incoming leader will also need to navigate Wisconsin’s interactions with the Trump administration, particularly regarding discussions about eliminating the federal Department of Education, which plays a crucial role in funding approximately 14% of public school budgets nationwide, supported by an annual budget of $79 billion.
