Jennifer Zerba

Jennifer Zerba (Republican Party) ran for election for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction. She lost in the Republican primary on August 16, 2022.

Zerba completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jennifer Zerba was born in Casper, Wyoming. Zerba earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Oregon University in 2017 and a graduate degree from the University of Wyoming in 2021. Her career experience includes working as an educator. Zerba also worked as interim executive director of the Milton-Freewater Chamber of Commerce and owned Club Jenerize in Casper. She has been affiliated with the following organizations:^[1]

Toastmasters International
Willow Public School (Walla Walla, WA), former board member
Students in Free Enterprise
Central Wyoming Kennel Club
Natrona County 4-H
Natrona County High School Speech and Debate
Milton-Freewater Downtown Alliance
Milton-Freewater Chamber of Commerce
Milton-Freewater Pioneer Posse
Milton-Freewater Rotary

Elections

2022

General election

General election for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction

Megan Degenfelder defeated Sergio Maldonado in the general election for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Megan Degenfelder (R)	75.0	142,544
	Sergio Maldonado (D)	22.8	43,260
	Other/Write-in votes	2.2	4,156

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 189,960
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction

Sergio Maldonado advanced from the Democratic primary for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction on August 16, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Sergio Maldonado	98.5	6,694
	Other/Write-in votes	1.5	104

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,798
= 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction

Megan Degenfelder defeated incumbent Brian Schroeder, Jennifer Zerba, Thomas Kelly (Unofficially withdrew), and Robert White III in the Republican primary for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction on August 16, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Megan Degenfelder	40.6	59,334
	Submit photo	Brian Schroeder	38.1	55,769
		Jennifer Zerba	9.3	13,662
		Thomas Kelly (Unofficially withdrew)	8.4	12,347
	Submit photo	Robert White III	3.0	4,396
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	721

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 146,229
= 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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2012

See also: Wyoming House of Representatives elections, 2012

Zerba filed to run in the 2012 election for Wyoming House of Representatives District 58. She would have been unopposed in the Democratic primary on August 21, 2012, however, she withdrew from the race on July 30.^[2]

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

Jennifer Zerba completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zerba's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jennifer is a Casper, WY native, attended K-12 in Casper, and graduated from Kelly Walsh High School, as did her mother and her mother’s siblings. She is a wife and mother of two daughters who graduated from Natrona County High School. She has been a cosmetologist for over 30 years. Jennifer graduated from Casper College with her associate’s in business administration. She has her bachelor’s in business administration and her master’s in public administration from the University of Wyoming. Jennifer will be starting her 3rd-semester fall of 2022 in the Education Doctorate in Learning, Design, and Technology program at UW. Jennifer is the author of “Healing Humanity from Behind the Shears.” Jennifer worked as the Interim Executive Director for the Milton-Freewater Chamber of Commerce. She owned Club Jenerize in Casper and has been in management, leadership, and communication for over 17 years. Her passion for leadership and communication stems from her enthusiasm for Toastmasters International. Just as Jennifer has worked together to achieve success in her life and the lives of her team, she is committed to working with the education department, educators, and parents to prepare Wyoming students for Wyoming!

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?

Commitment to Responsible Financial Spending: She understands first-hand the effects of millions of dollars in budget cuts we have had over the last several years. “We can’t keep splitting the pie of resources until everyone gets a crumb.”
Commitment to Educators: The attack on teachers defeats the purpose of education, and Jennifer is here to stand up for every educator. “They are Wyoming’s greatest resource, and we need more of them.” “We will alert and defend parents’ rights that they already have.”
Commitment to a Skilled Workforce: There is a persistent shortage of skilled labor. The average age of plumbers and electricians is 58. As a cosmetologist by trade, Jennifer saw the lack of people to fill chairs in salons across the state. The perception and stigma related to being a tradesperson are relevant in education and society where they are thought of as low-skill jobs. “It is common for trades people to hear they were too stupid for college.” She believes that “Not every student should go to college, and the drive for educators, guidance counselors, and administrators to push a 4-year degree with the financial burden attached to it, needs to be re-examined.” “We need to work with Wyoming stakeholders, parents and businesses."

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The areas of public policy that Jennifer is personally passionate about are budgeting, upholding the Wyoming Constitution, human resources, workforce development, and state lands.

Jennifer is concerned that Wyoming Constitution will be run over. The Wyoming Constitution Article 7 clearly defines public education and the role of the state superintendent. “I will commit to upholding our constitution. Just because someone wants their child to have a certain ideology doesn’t give them the right to say what my child’s ideology should be!” She will also commit to upholding Article 1 section 7 No absolute, arbitrary power: Absolute, arbitrary power over the lives, liberty, and property of freemen exists nowhere in a republic, not even in the largest majority.

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

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is in a vital position to oversee Wyoming students and their progress toward a fruitful and meaningful life. K-12 education is the core of mental, emotional, and physical progress for our community's future. Being prepared for the future means the students must have the skills to thrive and this office ensures that.

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

"Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek

"How Full Is Your Bucket" by Tom Rath
"What is Your Why?" by Simon Sinek
"Eat That Frog" by Brian Tracy

"Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss

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

The characteristics or principles that Jennifer believes are most important for an elected official are service leadership. Organizational behavior, holistic management, and passion for the public good.

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

Qualities Jennifer possesses that she believes would make her a successful officeholder are service leadership, holistic management, organization, communicating, and actively listening to understand and not just to answer. She feels she has a unique ability to build relationships to improve efficiency by using strength psychology.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Jennifer believes the core responsibilities of someone elected to this office are transparency and developing a strategic plan from educator feedback. Followed by being able to develop a budget to support the strategic plan. Other responsibilities are choosing to retain educators, improve public relations across the state, and work with the Wyoming Office of Tourism to develop a campaign to entice out-of-state educators to relocate to Wyoming. Finally, nurturing a safe environment for both educators and students.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks

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

The responsibilities of this office that I personally consider the most important are connecting and communicating with educators to ensure funding is allocated to the appropriate programs, so our students have the most successful K-12 journey. Strategic planning through leadership and communication is a close second to being the most important. Using strength psychology will be a fresh introduction to all responsibilities the superintendent of public instruction may have.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

This office is the beacon for all public relations in the state regarding education. It is vital the messaging is done in a manner that upholds the constitution and does not discriminate. Every child and educator deserves to be treated with kindness, compassion, and respect. Jennifer believes more people should be aware of the power to uplift those around us.

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

I believe it is more beneficial for holders of this office to know how educators are affected by the government and politics.Too many times, educators are left with poor policy-making that does not serve the students.

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

The kind of skills or expertise Jennifer believes would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess is communication and building trusting relationships.

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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Candidate

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 16, 2022
↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WE

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 16, 2022

[WE-2] Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WE

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Jennifer Zerba

Contents

Biography

Elections

2022

General election

General election for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction

2012

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

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