In a pivotal spring election, Dr. Jill Underly has been re-elected as Wisconsin’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, defeating challenger Brittany Kinser in a race that highlighted fundamental disagreements over school choice, academic performance, and equity in public education.
With millions in political donations and a sharp divide between education philosophies, this wasn’t just a local leadership contest — it was a statewide referendum on the future of Wisconsin’s K-12 system.
Who is Jill Underly?
Dr. Jill Underly, an experienced public educator and administrator, was first elected in 2021 and has positioned herself as a fierce defender of public schools. With a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, she’s spent her career as:
- A high school social studies teacher
- A principal and district superintendent
- State leader in educational equity and rural school reform
Campaign Focus: Public Schools First
Underly ran on a clear and unapologetic platform:
- 📚 Opposed expansion of school voucher programs
- 🧠 Emphasized data-backed literacy and math initiatives
- 🏫 Supported greater funding for rural schools
- ⚖️ Advocated for inclusive policies, including transgender student protections
2025 Election Outcome & Party Support
According to WPR and WISN, the 2025 race was one of the most expensive superintendent contests in state history:
- Jill Underly received $850,000+ from Democratic donors
- Brittany Kinser was backed by $1.7 million from Republican sources
Test Scores, Funding, and the Road Ahead
Underly has been open about Wisconsin’s achievement gap and is calling for:
- A major reinvestment in foundational reading and math
- Collaboration with newly elected legislators to expand mental health resources
- Revisiting assessment standards to reflect learning recovery post-COVID
Still the #1 Advocate for Public Education
In her victory speech, Underly reiterated her message:
“Our kids deserve strong, stable, and well-funded schools. We can’t test or cut our way to excellence.”
Her next four years will define whether Wisconsin moves toward rebuilding confidence in public education — or whether national politics continue to fracture local classrooms.
