In the recent primary election for the state superintendent in Wisconsin, incumbent Democrat Jill Underly and Republican challenger Brittany Kinser emerged as the top two candidates, with Jeff Wright being eliminated. The general election on April 1 will determine who will shape education policy in the state during President Trump’s second term.
Underly, who was first elected in 2021 with the support of Democrats and teachers unions, touted herself as a champion for public schools. She received endorsements from the Wisconsin Democratic Party and various Democratic officeholders. On the other hand, Kinser, an advocate for the private voucher school choice program, positioned herself as a candidate focused on bolstering achievement for all students. The Wisconsin Education Association Council did not endorse a candidate in the primary, leaving room for a division within the education community.
The race highlights the differing views on education policy in Wisconsin, with Underly focusing on the importance of public schools and Kinser advocating for school choice and voucher programs. The winner of the election will have significant authority over education policy in the state, including managing funding for schools and teacher licensing.
As the state navigates its relationship with the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate the federal Department of Education, the outcome of the election will have implications for the future of education in Wisconsin. Voters will have a clear choice between two candidates with contrasting visions for the state’s education system.
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