Kinser’s Background and Platform
Brittany Kinser, a former special education teacher and elementary school principal, has officially declared her candidacy for Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Her platform emphasizes raising academic standards, reading improvements, equal funding between all sectors of education (public, private, charter). Kinser’s entry introduces complexity into an already competitive field, which includes incumbent Jill Underly and Sauk Prairie Superintendent Jeff Wright.
Both Underly and Wright, who are Democrats, are expected to divide support among progressive voters, with Underly endorsed by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and Wright a highly sought after recommendation from the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) PAC. WEAC is the teachers union, and the Wisconsin affiliate of the National Education Association.
Kinser’s Advocacy for School Choice
As the former president of City Forward Collective, a Milwaukee nonprofit supporting charter and private choice schools, Kinser has been a prominent advocate for school choice. She championed increased funding for Wisconsin’s Parental Choice Program, which allows families to use state-funded vouchers for private education. Kinser has also criticized recent policy decisions by Underly’s Department of Public Instruction, particularly the lowering of performance cut scores on the Forward Exam, which she called a step backward for students.
Republicans’ Failure to Field a DPI Candidate
The absence of a conservative candidate in the race leaves Republican voters to choose among three Democrats. Jill Underly and Jeff Wright are aligned with progressive education policies, while Brittany Kinser positions herself as a centrist. Describing herself as a “Blue Dog Democrat,” Kinser advocates for school choice, academic excellence, and raising standards. This lack of a Republican option forces conservatives to decide which candidate best aligns with their priorities. With Kinser support for school choice, she is hoping to yield support among Republican aligned voters while still gaining support among Democrats who support and benefit from school choice, which are predominantly in Milwaukee area.
Underly’s Record Under Scrutiny
Underly’s tenure has drawn criticism for controversial decisions, including changes to exam standards and perceived transparency issues surrounding Milwaukee Public Schools’ financial troubles ahead of a $252 million referendum. Her strained relationship with WEAC and her alignment with progressive policies have made her a polarizing figure.
Challenges Facing Jeff Wright
Jeff Wright faces significant hurdles, including WEAC’s partial support and a divided progressive base. His strategy has relied on building a coalition of dissatisfied education professionals and moderate Republicans. However, Kinser’s entry into the race threatens to erode this coalition, potentially splitting voter support
Incumbency and Financial Support Boost UnderlyJill Underly benefits from significant financial support from the Wisconsin Democratic Party, which was instrumental in her 2020 victory. Her incumbency and the low voter turnout typical of spring elections give her a substantial advantage, particularly against challengers with less name recognition.
A High-Stakes Race in Education
The Wisconsin DPI race comes at a time of heightened focus on education issues, including debates over curriculum standards, parental involvement, and the balance between public and private schooling. The outcome of this race will shape the future of education policy in the state, especially given DPI constitutional mandate regulating K-12 education in the state.
