Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2022

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Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction
Election details
	Filing deadline: March 11, 2022
	Primary: May 17, 2022; General: November 8, 2022; Pre-election incumbent(s):; Sherri Ybarra (Republican)
How to vote
	Poll times: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Voting in Idaho
Ballotpedia analysis
	Federal and state primary competitiveness; State executive elections in 2022; Impact of term limits in 2022; State government trifectas; State government triplexes; Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2022
Idaho; executive elections
	Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Attorney General; Secretary of State; Treasurer; Controller; Superintendent of Public Instruction

Idaho held an election for superintendent of public instruction on November 8, 2022. The primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. The filing deadline was March 11, 2022.

Debbie Critchfield won election in the general election for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Candidates and election results

General election candidates

Terry Gilbert (Democratic Party)
Debbie Critchfield (Republican Party) ✔

= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Democratic primary candidates

Terry Gilbert ✔

= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Republican primary candidates

= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey

Voting information

See also: Voting in Idaho

Election information in Idaho: Nov. 8, 2022, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

In-person: Oct. 14, 2022
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 14, 2022
Online: Oct. 14, 2022

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

In-person: Oct. 28, 2022
By mail: Received by Oct. 28, 2022
Online: Oct. 28, 2022

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
By mail: Received by Nov. 8, 2022

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Oct. 24, 2022 to Nov. 4, 2022

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

N/A

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

Developing Skills/Job Ready: Our students must be prepared to meet the demands of the 21st century. That means access to the skills, resources and credentials that are needed to not only succeed, but to thrive. We are responsible for developing self-governing adults who can manage their personal and financial decisions. I believe emphasizing and expanding our career and technical training is how we educate for independence. We want students who can create, think, and solve problems.

Required Graduation Class for Financial Literacy: One of the priority pieces of my overall vision for Idaho students rests on skills development for job readiness and a focus on personal finance, also known as financial literacy. Our kids need to be taught how taxes, health insurance, credit scores, interest, and loans work, among other important financial skills. The time to learn about retirement plans should be before our students enter the workforce, not when they realize they need one several years into their careers. These are different skills than what is presented in an algebra or economics class and they apply to each and every student, regardless of their decisions after graduation.

Parent Engagement: Strengthening the role and responsibility of parents has to include providing meaningful opportunities for parent participation in the decision-making of their child’s education at home and at school. What would happen if we empowered parents to engage in their child's learning, while supporting the professional educator? We would spark a generation of skilled and confident learners ready for the opportunities around them.

Terry Gilbert (D)

Hire a certified, professional educator. Terry Gilbert has spent 14 years in Idaho classrooms and earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum Development. He has been endorsed by the teachers of the Idaho Education Association. Our opponent has only a been a substitute teacher and has no training in Education.

The future belongs to the children of Idaho and they must be prepared to face it with the best education we can provide. What better way to share Idaho’s budget surplus than to improve and strengthen our schools. Vouchers would weaken our schools by transferring our tax dollars from public schools to private hands.

Take politics out of Idaho education. Our opponent is supported by the most extreme political forces active in Idaho and nationally. Our children should not be pawns in a political power play.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

Workforce Readiness

Literacy Math Readiness

Terry Gilbert (D)

All Idahoans have a stake in our public schools. They are the heart and soul of our communities; they educate our young people, drive our economy and protect democracy. I am a staunch advocate for K-12 schools, vocational education, and our colleges and universities.

I have a plan for the future: -- Create new opportunities for our junior and high school students to learn and explore special interests. We can build “schools within schools” to focus on STEM, Art and Music, Agriculture, and Apprenticeships in Vocational Studies. -- Make sure our students are safe and prepared for any emergency by investing in the infrastructure of all of our schools, colleges and universities. -- Our colleges and universities are incubators for new technology in everything from food processing to high tech. We must increase investment in Research and Development, so that people of Idaho will participate in every possible new economic opportunity.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

Education touches on everything. It's how we develop our future leaders. It's how we maintain our Republic. Education is not an outcome. It’s the way in which we prepare our students and protect our form of government. The State Superintendent must lead in these efforts and support good local decision making. The State Superintendent has a duty to follow the Constitutional role and be the first advocate and champion for quality education.

Terry Gilbert (D)

Public schools help us preserve our democracy. Institutions like public education do not protect themselves. I will be an unremitting protector our public schools.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

I look up to people who are honest and kind. I admire someone who knows how to lead with grace and still get the job done.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Terry Gilbert (D)

On the Brink of Everything by Parker J. Palmer, a wise book by a wise man.

From beloved and best-selling author Parker J. Palmer (Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, Healing the Heart of Democracy) comes a brave and beautiful book of reflections on eight decades of life and work. Reframing aging as "a passage of discovery and engagement", Palmer says, "Old is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to take bigger risks on behalf of the common good." On the Brink of Everything is not a "guide to" or "handbook for" getting old. Instead, it's Palmer turning the prism of insight on his experience as a way of encouraging listeners to do the same with theirs. In elegant prose and lyrical poetry, he offers a set of meditations on the meanings of one's life - past, present, and future.

“The laws of nature that dictate the sunset dictate our demise," Palmer writes. "But how we travel the arc between our own sunrise and sundown is ours to choose: will it be denial, defiance, or collaboration?" With gravity and levity, compassion and chutzpah, Palmer writes about cultivating a robust inner and outer life, a sense of meaning and purpose amid pain as well as joy, and the intergenerational relations that enhance the lives of young and old alike. Here's a book not only for elders but also for those younger folks we call "old souls". And this book sings! It includes three songs by Palmer's longtime friend and colleague, singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer, written in response to themes in the book.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

Honesty

Transparency Shows Up

Problem Solver

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

I am a problem solver. I listen to understand and then act. I am thoughtful about my approach and seek input. I am not ego driven and hold everyone around me and myself to a high standard. I respect people and when I disagree can still show respect. I am a worker. I am the first to show up and the last to leave. I am a leader that others want to work with. I am honest with high integrity. I don't look to be expedient, I seek to do right.

Terry Gilbert (D)

Public schools help us preserve our democracy. Institutions like public education do not protect themselves. I will be an unremitting protector our public schools.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

I remember my parents being very worried about Jimmy Carter becoming president. I was 7 or 8 and this seemed very concerning to me since they were so upset about it. I remember talking to my friends about it and they looked at me like I was from Mars!

Terry Gilbert (D)

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, when I was an 18 year old freshman in college.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

I was the neighborhood babysitter! I was the oldest of 5 children and had lots of experience to share. I did this until I could drive and then started working at a frozen yogurt shop.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Terry Gilbert (D)

The Practical Cogitator: The Thinker’s Anthology by Curtis and Greenslet. This is a compendium from the best of civilized thought.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

I always loved Nancy Drew! She was smart and knew who she was, what her talents were and wasn't afraid to follow her instincts. She had reliable friends and a supportive parent. I felt a kinship in some ways to her. I loved reading about her adventures and her perseverance to find the truth.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

I experienced cancer about 10 years ago. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had 18 months of treatment that included a bi-lateral mastectomy, chemo, radiation and reconstruction. I learned strength and resolve in ways that I never thought possible.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

Establish and carry out a vision

Advocate for Students Advocate for Parents Develop relationships of trust Partner for strong local decision making Support Direct resources

Prioritize Goals

Terry Gilbert (D)

To provide excellent services to each of our 168 K-12 Idaho school districts, 311,000 public school students and 19,000 teachers and instructional staff. I hope to raise the level of enthusiasm for learning, the pride of being educated and the respect for educators.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

I do because experience, where it counts, leads to improved results.

Terry Gilbert (D)

The superintendent must interact with the public, office holders and political officials. Therefore, it is important that the superintendent have successful past experiences in building relationships with a wide spectrum of individuals throughout the state.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Debbie Critchfield (R)

Leadership

Experience Honesty Hardworking Listening Action Oriented Collaborative

Problem Solver

Past elections

2018

See also: Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2018

General election

General election for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Sherri Ybarra defeated Cindy Wilson in the general election for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 6, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Sherri Ybarra (R)	51.5	305,977
	Cindy Wilson (D)	48.5	288,488

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 594,465
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction

Cindy Wilson defeated Allen Humble in the Democratic primary for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cindy Wilson	86.0	49,565
	Submit photo	Allen Humble	14.0	8,051

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 57,616
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Sherri Ybarra defeated Jeff Dillon in the Republican primary for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sherri Ybarra	58.9	103,071
	Submit photo	Jeff Dillon	41.1	71,856

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 174,927
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014

See also: Idaho down ballot state executive elections, 2014

Superintendent of Idaho, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Sherri Ybarra	50.6%	217,049
	Democratic	Jana Jones	49.4%	211,483
Total Votes				428,532
Election results Idaho Secretary of State

External links

Footnotes

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Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2022

Contents

Candidates and election results

Voting information

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Past elections

2018

General election

General election for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction

2014

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

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