2/12/2025

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s top education official faces challengers on the right and left as she runs for reelection. Republican-backed school choice advocate Brittany Kinser and rural school superintendent Jeff Wright hope to beat Superintendent Jill Underly. Wright has support from public school administrators and Democratic allies. Underly was first elected in 2021 and is endorsed by the Wisconsin Democratic Party. The top two vote-getters in Tuesday’s primary will face off on April 1. Wisconsin is the only state where voters elect top education officials who doesn't answer to a state board of education. That gives the person who runs the Department of Public Instruction broad authority.