Second Democrat plans to run for state superintendent

A second Democrat is jumping into the race for superintendent of public instruction.

Cindy Wilson, a government teacher at Boise’s Capital High School, told Idaho Education News that she will file campaign paperwork Monday morning.

In an email Sunday evening, the 33-year educator listed several campaign priorities: promoting public pre-k; creating equitable opportunities for rural and urban schools; partnering with the business and labor community to determine their needs; creating an office within the State Department of Education to promote civics.

In 2013, Wilson sat on Gov. Butch Otter’s K-12 task force; the group’s 20 recommendations have provided a five-year plan of sorts on teacher pay, school funding, early reading and mastery-based learning. Since 2015, Wilson has served on the state’s Board of Correction, a three-member panel that oversees the state’s prison system. (Click here for a profile of Wilson and her appointment to the board.)

Wilson joins Allen Humble of Boise in the May 15 Democratic primary. Humble filed his preliminary campaign paperwork last week.

Incumbent state superintendent Sherri Ybarra and Wilder district Superintendent Jeff Dillon will meet in the May 15 Republican primary.

Candidates must file official campaign paperwork with the state between Monday and March 9. Check back at this blog for the latest filing news.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 30 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinRichert. He can be reached at [email protected]

Get EdNews in your inbox

Weekly round up every Friday