The race to lead the state education department pits the teachers union-backed incumbent, Jill Underly, against consultant Brittany Kinser, a supporter of the private school voucher program who is endorsed by Republicans.

The level of spending in the DPI race featuring incumbent Jill Underly and GOP-backed Brittany Kinser was unprecedented for a state superintendent race.

The state superintendent has broad authority to oversee education policy, from dispersing school funding to managing teacher licensing.

The electorate will also decide whether to enshrine a voter ID law in the state constitution. Both contests have sharp partisan divisions, though they have drawn far less spending and national attention than the race for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Source: Election results and race calls are from The Associated Press. By The New York Times election results team: Michael Andre, Emma Baker, Neil Berg, Andrew Chavez, Michael Beswetherick, Matthew Bloch,

Nearly two-thirds vote to add an amendment to the state constitution.

Incumbent Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly speaks with supporters in Madison. Kid Rock has revealed that comedian Bill Maher’s “mind was blown” after his White House sit down with President Donald Trump.

Wisconsin voters decided Tuesday to enshrine the state’s voter ID law in the state constitution. The state was also electing its top education official, who will guide policies affecting K-12 schools during President Donald Trump’s second term,

Underly took on a challenge from Brittany Kinser, a pro-school choice candidate. She won just over 52% of the ballots cast. More than 1.8 million people voted in the election — double that of the votes cast in the 2021 state superintendent race.