Republican lawmakers differ on state superintendent race

Republican state lawmakers who head committees charged with overseeing education policy in Wisconsin disagree on who should be the next state superintendent.

Assembly Education Committee chairman Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt is the campaign co-chair for John Humphries. He is a consultant to the Dodgeville school district who is challenging incumbent Tony Evers.

Senate Education Committee chairman Sen. Luther Olsen supports Evers. Olsen tells The Associated Press in an interview he is not officially endorsing anyone, but “I just am not sure we need a change.”

Evers has been state superintendent for two terms and is seeking re-election for a third term. He is supported by many Democrats and teachers unions. Humphries has the support of many conservatives, but Democratic Rep. Jason Fields is a campaign co-chair.

The race is officially nonpartisan.