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Column: It’s hard to believe, but it’s almost time to vote

By Dan Kontos

You know, I never let an election slip by without drawing your attention to another opportunity to shape your government in this constitutional republic. That’s just what I do.

In November, Wisconsin voters (at least the majority of sensible ones) elected Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Now look at the sweeping changes flooding the zone to take our country back. Time to step up and do the same at the state level.

Alright, maybe slightly hyperbolic, but not too much of a stretch, as there are some very consequential choices that only the voters of the Badger State (tempered by some of the usual spurious ballots) can make. Time to list some expected for you.

Understand that the Spring Ballot is April 1, and I’ll certainly have more to say along the way, but some highlights for you include the Wisconsin Supreme Court, one very consequential constitutional amendment, lots of local elections, and more.

However, on Tuesday, February 18th, the spring primary election is being held. The one statewide office is that of the state Superintendent of Public Instruction. Later, we can have a debate on the value of having a popular election for this position, or even for having a Department of Public Instruction, but at least for now, it is just that.

Three people are vying for the position, and I have looked into all three. You all have other things to do, so consider this a public service I offer for your consideration, free of charge. 

The two top vote-getters will advance to the April election. While ostensively a non-partisan race, honestly, all three are Democrats. Nothing wrong with that, but is initially disappointing that the conservatives have seeded this election already.

The incumbent is Jill Underly. No need to regurgitate her CV. If you want her background, check out Ballotpedia. However, more interesting reading, not of her resume, but her accomplishments (or lack thereof) can be found at the award-winning news site Wisconsin Right Now.

If you’ve been following along for the last four years, you have probably made up your mind about Underly’s performance. From lowering standardized testing standards, so-called CUT scores, to pushing for biological boys to be able to compete in girls’ sports,  to covering up problems with Milwaukee schools, to reports of mismanagement at DPI.  It’s also telling that the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) will not endorse her. Even former State Superintendent, Governor Tony Evers, has publicly shown his lack of faith in her performance.

From the conservative perspective, Underly’s tenure has been a disaster.  She’s proven that she is not up to the job, and cannot be allowed to continue, for the sake of education in Wisconsin. Strong words? To be sure, but objectively true. While she may be a wonderful person (I don’t know), State Superintendent is not her calling. Right now, the vote goes to “anyone else.”

The first challenger to Underly is Jeff Wright. The current Superintendent at the Sauk Prairie School District, this Stevens Point native fancies himself as a competent professional manager, even named “2024 Administrator of the Year” by the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance. He has earned the endorsement of the Wisconsin School Administrators Association.

While no conservative, Wright is acceptably claims to be a professional administrator. Something Utterly cannot. He certainly passes the minimalist “lesser of two evils” test.

Newcomer Brittany Kinser rounds out the field. While she has, as of yet, fully fleshed out detailed positions, she seems to have an open mind. On her website, Kinser touts the basics of restoring past testing standards, refocusing on the basics, including parents in the process, increasing funding, and restoring transparency at DPI. Sounds good on the surface, but she cannot articulate specific aspects of her claims.

If being a conservative is the yardstick, she fails to measure up. She attended the 2024 DNC,  donated to Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, and attended the anti-Trump Progressive Policy Institute

Competence over politics is a pillar of public service, so perhaps we can set some of Kinser’s past to the side. While she also passes the “lesser of two evils” test, her candidacy seems to be too undeveloped to place well-founded confidence in. 

State Superintendent may seem like an obscure position to agonize over, but it has a large impact on our educational system, our children, and the future of our state. It’s worth your time. Kinser and Wright are a step up from the current office holder, and worth your time to cast a ballot.

So, with that, let’s meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, boldly, honestly, with an appreciation for all our public servants, and with a healthy respect for each other. Until then, remember that God loves you, and so do I.