A thumbnail look at the Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates is presented below.
The Primary Election is on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
An overview of the candidates by Wisconsin Watch can be read here. Another viewpoint by the Badger Institute can be read here.
The top two vote recipients will face off in the Spring Election.
Brittany Kinser
Viewed as a political moderate, she donated to the campaigns of U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (2004) and Hillary Clinton (2016).
Republican parties in the state are backing her candidacy, including Waupaca County.
Her campaign mailer stresses she is a teacher, principal, and literacy advocate. She wishes to restore high standards; refocus on teaching reading, writing, and math; partner with parents; ensure funding reaches the classroom and rewards good teachers; and drive transparency, predictability, and innovation at DPI.
Here’s a link to an interview with her. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ran this article on the fundraising behind her campaign.
Dr. Jill Underly
Viewed as a political liberal, she is being endorsed by Chris Larson, Bob Wirch, Gwen Moore, Ryan Spade, Steve Doyle, Melissa Ratcliff, the Waupaca County Democratic Party, and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Underly is the current DPI head.
The State Department of Public Instruction website says this of her, “Dr. Jill Underly was elected Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction in April of 2021. With more than two decades of public education experience, including her most-recent 6 years as the Superintendent of the Pecatonica School District, Underly has been committed to ensuring that every child, every day, has the opportunity for a first-class public education in the State of Wisconsin.”
She has donated to the political campaigns of Joe Biden (2024), Tammy Baldwin (2024), Mandela Barnes (2022), and Tony Evers (2017). She has also donated to ActBlue (2023).
In the past she has received contributions from the following: Brad Pfaff (2021); International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (2021); International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (2021); Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2021); National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2021); Neal Plotkin (2021); and Service Employees International Union (2021).
Read The Capitol Times’ story where she dubs herself “a champion in the of chaos” here. Additional articles from WMTV about here can be found here and here .
Jeff Wright
Viewed as a political liberal, Jeff Wright has been endorsed by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators.
He has donated and made contributions to the State Democratic Party Organization (2016) and Dave Considine (2015).
In the past he received contributions from the following: International Brotherhood of Teamsters (2018); Jimmy Anderson (2018); Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2018); American Association of School Administrators (2016); American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2016); American Federation of Teachers (2016); Art Shrader (2016); Blue Majority PAC (2016); Communication Workers of America (2016); Daniel Riemer (2016); Dave Considine (2016); David Bowen (2016); Evan Goyke (2016); Frederick Kessler (2016); International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (2016); International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (2016); Jonathan Brostoff (2016); Katrina Shankland (2016); Laborers International Union of North America (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2016); Mark Spreitzer (2016); Maureen May Grimm (2016); National Education Association (national, state and local affiliates) (2016); Peter Barca (2016); Ron Kind (2016); State Democratic Party Organizations (2016); and United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (2016); United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (2016); and Wisconsin Progress (2016).
Read The Capitol Times’ story where he says new leadership is needed here. Read the Wisconsin Examiner article on him here.