MADISON, Delete. (AP / TMJ4) – Jill Underly benefited from the union’s support of state educators and an overwhelming financial advantage to win election as Superintendent of Wisconsin schools, unofficial election results show.
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Defeated Republican-backed Deb Kerr in Tuesday’s election.
Underly is a superintendent of the rural school district of Pecatonica and previously worked for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, which she will now lead.
Kerr is the former superintendent of the Brown Deer school district in suburban Milwaukee.
The race was officially impartial, but the Democrats and their money were firmly behind Underly, while Kerr found support from the Republicans. Underly will take over from Carolyn Stanford Taylor, who has held the position since 2019.
External expenditures in superintendent race exceed $ 1 million
External expenditures in Wisconsin’s race for state superintendent have exceeded $ 1 million, the highest amount ever spent by special interests trying to influence the officially nonpartisan race.
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is tracking spending in the race, saying on Monday that $ 797,600 has been spent by groups that support Underly or oppose Kerr.
A group has spent $ 209,000 to help Kerr.
Response to the election results
Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler issued the following statement:
“Wisconsin students, faculty, and families are the real winners tonight. Dr. Underly has the deep expertise, unwavering commitment to public schools, and a clear vision for a fairer future that Wisconsin needs right now. “
Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale said in a statement:
Today Wisconsin voters have continued the call for a better future for all by voting to elect union-backed candidate Dr. Jill Underly to lead our public schools out of the pandemic with a focus on equality and a strong, comprehensive funded public education system that supports every child every day. “
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