MADISON, Wisconsin (AP / TMJ4) – Jill Underly gained support from the state teachers’ union and an overwhelming economic advantage in winning the election as superintendent of Wisconsin schools, according to unofficial election results.
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He defeated Deb Kerr in Tuesday’s election, with Republican support.
Underly is superintendent of the Pecatonica School District and previously worked for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, which he will now lead.
Kerr is the former superintendent of the Brown Deer school district on the outskirts of Milwaukee.
The race was officially non-partisan, but Democrats and their money lined up firmly behind Undly as Kerr found Republican support. He replaces Carolyn Stanford Taylor, who has held the post since 2019.
External spending on superintendent careers exceeds $ 1 million
External spending on the Wisconsin race for state superintendent has topped $ 1 million, the most they have ever spent special interest on trying to influence the officially non-partisan race.
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign tracks race spending and said Monday that groups that supported Underly or opposed Kerr have spent $ 797,600.
One group has spent $ 209,000 to help Kerr.
Reaction to the election result
Ben Wikler, president of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, issued the following statement:
“Wisconsin students, teachers and families are the real winners tonight. Dr. Underly has deep experience, unwavering dedication to public schools and a clear vision for a more equitable future that Wisconsin needs right now. “
Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale said in a statement:
“Today, Wisconsin voters have continued to call for a better future for all by voting to choose the union-approved candidate, Dr. Jill Underly, to bring our public schools out of the pandemic with a focus on equality and a strong, funded public education system that supports all children, every day. “
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