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Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Election, 2025 (February 18 primary election)
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← 2021
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| Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction |
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| Election details |
| Filing deadline: January 7, 2025 |
| Primary: February 18, 2025 General: April 1, 2025 Pre-election incumbent(s): Jill Underly |
| How to vote |
| Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Wisconsin |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2025 Impact of term limits in 2025 State government trifectas State government triplexes Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2025 |
| Wisconsin executive elections |
| Superintendent of Public Instruction |
Incumbent Jill Underly and Brittany Kinser advanced to the general election, defeating Jeff Wright in the nonpartisan primary for Wisconsin's superintendent of public instruction on February 18, 2025.
PBS Wisconsin's Steven Potter wrote, "Although the position is described as non-partisan, the job of running the state’s public school system is anything but apolitical. This is largely because of school system funding battles between the governor and the state Legislature, but also due to high-profile contemporary political issues that include transgender student policies, school library book access and bans, police in schools, and other contentious matters."[1]
Incumbent Underly sought re-election to a second term as superintendent. She was first elected in 2021, defeating Deborah Kerr 57.6% to 42.3%. Underly campaigned on getting more funding for Wisconsin schools from the state government, and said, "Our state has been underfunding schools for a long time, and we need to make the necessary investments so Wisconsin kids get a great education, and are able to compete in the global economy."[2] Underly also campaigned on increasing teacher recruitment and said she supported "additional funding to look at programs like teacher apprenticeship, look at things like grow your own programs, which are taking adults who may be already working your school but aren’t licensed as teachers and investing in them."[3] The Wisconsin Democratic Party endorsed Underly.[4]
Kinser was an education consultant, a former special education teacher, and a nonprofit executive.[5] Kinser campaigned on changing the state's curriculum, and said "We must prioritize reading, writing, math and science to provide the foundation for meaningful careers and a bright future."[2] She also focused on publishing test scores earlier than previous years and said, "It’s being transparent and getting people the information, parent and schools especially, so that they can see what’s working and what’s not working."[6] Kinser said she does not align with either party.[7][8] The CEO of the conservative think tank the Institute for Reforming Government, CJ Szafir says "I don’t think there’s any real daylight between what conservatives want in the DPI and what Brittany wants to do at the DPI."[9]
Wright was the superintendent of the Sauk Prairie School District.[10] He ran for Assembly District 51 in 2016 and 2018 as a Democrat. Wright's website said he would "make sure the DPI has a clear and collaborative strategic vision built on solutions that bridge regional, economic, and political divides."[11] Wright said he would "mak[e] sure that we’re listening to everyone and that we make sure that our doors aren’t closed to people, regardless of their opinion, especially if their children are in our schools."[12] The political action committee of the Wisconsin Education Association Council endorsed Wright.[13]
Following similar changes to standardized tests in other states, in 2024, the Department of Public Instruction revised how the state measured student performance with its Forward Exam.[14] The department modified the terms used to describe student performance and lowered the threshold for students to receive a positive evaluation. Test scores subsequently increased compared to past years after the Department implemented the new standards.[15][16] However, the changes faced criticism, including from Gov. Tony Evers (D) and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R).[17] Moreover, state Republicans supported a bill to restore the standards to what they were previously.[17] The bill became a factor in the race.
Underly said the changes were necessary, writing in an opinion piece, "In recent years, Wisconsin’s standards in various subjects were updated to better reflect what students should know and be able to do in the classroom...This meant the Forward Exam needed to be updated to accurately assess students on those learning goals."[18] Kinser supported the proposal to restore the old standard, and said, "I 100% agree with the new proposal for the new bill to ensure that our standards are restored and agree with the governor also that they need to be restored."[19] Wright was also critical of new standards and say legislators proposed the bill "because of the absence of system-wide collaboration and open communication...I look forward to working with our Legislature as a nonpartisan problem solver to do what is right for our schools."[17]
As of February 3, 2025, Underly has raised $39,070 and spent $28,131, Kinser has raised $15,000 and spent $0, and Wright has raised $84,793 and spent $5,634.[20] The 2021 election was the most expensive in the state's history with $2.98 million being spent among candidates and satellite groups.[21] To read more about fundraising in this race, click here.
Candidates and election results
General election
General election for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Jill Underly defeated Brittany Kinser and Adrianne Melby in the general election for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction on April 1, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jill Underly (Nonpartisan) | 52.7 | 1,148,427 |
 | Brittany Kinser (Nonpartisan) | 46.9 | 1,022,489 | |
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)  | 0.0 | 348 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 7,305 | ||
| Total votes: 2,178,569 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Jill Underly and Brittany Kinser defeated Jeff Wright in the primary for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction on February 18, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jill Underly (Nonpartisan) | 37.9 | 177,626 |
| ✔ | | Brittany Kinser (Nonpartisan) | 34.5 | 161,636 |
 | Jeff Wright (Nonpartisan) | 27.4 | 128,292 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 1,055 | ||
| Total votes: 468,609 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Voting information
- See also: Voting in Wisconsin
Candidate connection
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Incumbent: Yes
Political Office:
- Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction (Assumed office: 2021)
Biography: Underly received her bachelor’s degrees in history and sociology from Indiana University-Bloomington, her master’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, her master's in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She previously worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent.
Show sources
Sources: WPR, "State Superintendent Jill Underly will face primary challenge in February," January 8, 2025; Wisconsin Examiner, "State superintendent race kicks off: Underly faces challenge from Sauk Prairie superintendent," December 5, 2024; WBAY, "Incumbent State Superintendent Underly details priorities if reelected," February 4, 2025; State Superintendent of Public Instruction "About Dr. Jill Underly," accessed January 29, 2025; Jill Underly 2025 campaign website, "About," accessed January 29, 2025; Wisconsin Board of Regents, "Jill Underly," accessed January 29, 2025
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2025.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Kinser received her bachelor's degree in special education from Eastern Illinois University in 1999, her master's in designing science curriculum from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2006 and her master's in educational leadership from Columbia University in 2011. She previously worked as the founder of her own consultation firm and as a special education teacher and as chair of Milwaukee Charter School Advocates.
Show sources
Sources: Channel 3000, "Meet DPI superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser," January 23, 2025; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A primary race could be shaping up for Wisconsin's top education official," December 19, 2024; WiscNews, "Changing academic standards becomes a central issue of Wisconsin superintendent race," January 27, 2025; LinkedIn, "Brittany Kinser," accessed January 29, 2025; Channel 3000, "Meet DPI superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser," January 23, 2025
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2025.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Wright received his bachelor's degree in history and social sciences education from Saint Olaf College in 1997 and his master's degree in administration, planning, and social policy from Harvard University in 2003. He previously worked as a teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent, and a superintendent. He has also served as a board member for various local community boards in the Sauk Prairie area.
Show sources
Sources: Wisconsin Examiner, "State superintendent race kicks off: Underly faces challenge from Sauk Prairie superintendent," December 5, 2024; Jeff Wright 2025 campaign website, "Vision," accessed January 29, 2025; VoteSmart, "Jeff Wright," accessed January 29, 2025; LinkedIn, Jeff Wright accessed January 29, 2025
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2025.
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.
| Collapse all
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
I support the use of the term “mother” and “father” and not “inseminated person”.
I fully support the Constitution of the United States of America and the values our country was founded upon.
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Adrianne Melby (Nonpartisan)
Candidate ads
Jill Underly
Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Jill Underly while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.
Brittany Kinser
Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Brittany Kinser while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.
Jeff Wright
Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Jeff Wright while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.
Election competitiveness
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. No polls were available for this election. To notify us of polls published in this election, please email us.
Endorsements
Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.
Election spending
Campaign finance
Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[22][23][24]
If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.
Election analysis
Following the 2024 presidential election, 62.9% of Wisconsinites lived in one of the state's 58 Solid Republican counties, which voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every election from 2016 to 2024, and 35.5% lived in one of 12 Solid Democratic counties. Overall, Wisconsin was Battleground Republican, having voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016, Joe Biden (D) in 2020, and Donald Trump (R) in 2024. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Wisconsin following the 2024 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.
| Wisconsin county-level statistics, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Republican | 58 | 62.9% | |||||
| Solid Democratic | 12 | 35.5% | |||||
| Battleground Republican | 1 | 1.1% | |||||
| Trending Democratic | 1 | 0.5% | |||||
| Total voted Democratic | 13 | 36.0% | |||||
| Total voted Republican | 59 | 64.0% | |||||
Election context
Ballot access requirements
See statutes: Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, Chapter 8
The filing process for both ballot-qualified party candidates and other candidates (e.g., independents, non-recognized party candidates, etc.) is the same. The filing procedure, however, does vary somewhat according to the type of office being sought. Please note that only ballot-qualified party candidates can participate in primaries.[25]
For federal and state candidates
A candidate for federal office must file a declaration of candidacy with the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The declaration of candidacy must state the following:[25][26]
- that the individual is a candidate for the office named on the form
- that the individual meets the qualifications for office, or will meet the qualifications by the time he or she assumes office if elected
- that the individual will otherwise qualify for office if nominated and elected
The declaration of candidacy must be sworn before an individual authorized to administer oaths. The declaration of candidacy must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on June 1 preceding the election (if June 1 falls on non-business day, the form will be due on the next preceding business day).[25][26][27][28]
In addition to the declaration of candidacy, the candidate must submit nomination papers to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The number of signatures required varies according to the office being sought. Requirements are summarized in the table below.[25][27][28]
| Nomination paper signature requirements for federal candidates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Office | Minimum signatures | Maximum signatures |
| U.S. Senator | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| U.S. Representative | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| State senator | 400 | 800 |
| State representative | 200 | 400 |
| State supreme court justice | 2,000 | 4,000 |
Nomination papers must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on June 1 preceding the election (if June 1 falls on non-business day, the form will be due on the next preceding business day).[25][27][28]
Write-in candidates
On April 2, 2014, Governor Scott Walker signed into law AB 419, which requires that write-in candidates file campaign finance statements in order to have their votes tallied. Otherwise, there are no specific filing requirements for write-in candidates.[29]
Past elections
The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2013.
2021
General election
General election for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jill Underly (Nonpartisan) | 57.6 | 526,406 |
 | Deborah Kerr (Nonpartisan) | 42.3 | 386,543 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 1,420 | ||
| Total votes: 914,369 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jill Underly (Nonpartisan) | 27.2 | 88,796 |
| ✔ | | Deborah Kerr (Nonpartisan) | 26.4 | 86,174 |
 | Sheila Briggs (Nonpartisan) | 15.6 | 50,815 | |
 | Shandowlyon Hendricks Reaves (Nonpartisan) | 11.3 | 36,850 | |
 | Troy Gunderson (Nonpartisan) | 8.4 | 27,452 | |
 | Steve Krull (Nonpartisan) | 6.3 | 20,543 | |
| Joe Fenrick (Nonpartisan) | 4.4 | 14,507 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 937 | ||
| Total votes: 326,074 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2017
General election
General election for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction
Candidate | ||
| ✔ |  | Tony Evers (Nonpartisan) |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
2013
Incumbent Tony Evers ran for and won re-election in 2013. He defeated state rep. Don Pridemore with approximately 61 percent of the vote in the general election on April 2, 2013.[30]
| Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction General Election, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan |  Tony Evers Incumbent |
61.1% | 487,030 | |
| Nonpartisan | Don Pridemore | 38.7% | 308,050 | |
| Scattering | Various | 0.2% | 1,431 | |
| Total Votes | 796,511 | |||
| Election Results via Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (dead link). | ||||
About the office
Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction is an elected position in the Wisconsin state government. The superintendent's responsibilities include providing leadership for Wisconsin's public school districts, providing the public with information about school management, attendance, and performance, licensing the state's teachers, and receiving and disbursing federal aid for schools.[31]
2025 battleground elections
- See also: Battlegrounds
This is a battleground election. Other 2025 battleground elections include:
- Mayoral election in St. Louis, Missouri (2025)
- Minnesota State Senate District 60 special election, 2025
- Philadelphia District Attorney election, 2025 (May 20 Democratic primary)
See also
| Wisconsin | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ PBS Wisconsin, "Brittany Kinser, Dr. Jill Underly and Jeff Wright face off in the 2025 primary for Wisconsin state superintendent," January 8, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, "A primary race could be shaping up for Wisconsin's top education official," December 19, 2024
- ↑ WBAY, "Incumbent State Superintendent Underly details priorities if reelected," February 4, 2025
- ↑ Wisconsin Democrats, "Democratic Party of Wisconsin Endorses Dr. Jill Underly for Reelection as Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction," November 21, 2024
- ↑ Wisconsin Examiner, "Two candidates officially challenge state schools Superintendent Jill Underly," January 7, 2025
- ↑ Wisc News, "Changing academic standards becomes a central issue of Wisconsin superintendent race," January 27, 2025
- ↑ WisPolitics, "Reversing course, Kinser files for state schools superintendent race," December 17, 2024
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMSJ - ↑ Wisconsin Watch, "Race for Wisconsin education chief lacks traditional conservative candidate," February 3, 2025
- ↑ Wisconsin Examiner, "State superintendent race kicks off: Underly faces challenge from Sauk Prairie superintendent," December 5, 2024
- ↑ Jeff Wright, "Vision," accessed January 27, 2025
- ↑ Wisconsin Examiner, "State superintendent race kicks off: Underly faces challenge from Sauk Prairie superintendent," December 5, 2024
- ↑ PBS Wisconsin, "Brittany Kinser, Dr. Jill Underly and Jeff Wright face off in the 2025 primary for Wisconsin state superintendent," January 8, 2025
- ↑ CBS 58, "State superintendent defends lowering test standards, changing terms away from 'basic' and 'below basic'," September 3, 2024
- ↑ WPR Nes' "New Wisconsin standards label nearly half of students at grade level in math and reading," October 8, 2024
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "What to know about Wisconsin's change in state test scores and the GOP push to restore previous benchmarks," January 31, 2025
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Wisconsin Examiner, "GOP lawmakers propose reverting to old testing standards as Superintendent Underly defends changes," January 24, 2025
- ↑ The Cap Times, "Wisconsin school superintendent race draws three candidates," October 10, 2024
- ↑ Channel 3000, "Meet DPI superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser," January 23, 2025
- ↑ Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "View Filed Reports," accessed February 3, 2025
- ↑ Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, "Spring School Superintendent Race Cost Record $3 Million," July 19, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 Government Accountability Board, "Ballot Access Manual (2023)," accessed apRIL 25, 2025
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 21," accessed April 28, 2025
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 20," accessed April 28, 2025
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 15," accessed April 28, 2025
- ↑ Ballot Access News, "Wisconsin Will No Longer Count Write-in Votes Unless Write-in Candidate Files Paperwork," May 17, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "2013 Spring Election"
- ↑ Wisconsin Statutes, "115.28" accessed July 20, 2012
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