Race For State Superintendent Was Most Expensive Ever

The state schools superintendent election decided Tuesday was the most expensive ever.

The race for Secretary of the Department of Public Instruction featured Pecatonica school district superintendent Jill Underly and former Brown Deer superintendent Deb Kerr, with Underly being declared the winner shortly after 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Groups backing Kerr were outspent, 719-thousand dollars to 209- thousand dollars on independent expenditures, according to filings with the state Ethics Commission. Add in pre-primary spending, and the outside investment exceeded one million dollars. Underly also outraised Kerr significantly, pulling in nearly a million and a half dollars compared to Kerr’s 169-thousand dollars.

Kerr prevailed in Fond du Lac County, outdistancing Underly 9,048-8,355. Preliminary statewide totals showed Underly with a commanding lead, garnering 57% of the votes to Kerr’s 43%.