Incumbent superintendent and Peninsula School Board member advance to general

Plus Lands Commissioner race moves closer to a recount—maybe, and your last chance to get a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Observer.

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The latest vote totals show two-time incumbent Superintendent Chris Reykdal and Peninsula School Board member, David Olson, will face off in November to lead the Superintendent of Public Instruction Office, which oversees public K-12 education in Washington State.

Newcomer Reid Saaris, who raised the most cash, failed to qualify for the November ballot. 

Reykdal had about 39% of the vote with Olson narrowly trailing him at 31%, as of Wednesday. Saaris, who, like Reykdal, ran for the nonpartisan office as a Democrat, had about 23% of the vote. 

Saaris voters and non-primary voters that turn out in November could be the deciding factor in the Superintendent race. If most Saaris voters in the primary go by party, Reykdal could be elected for a third term as Washington’s state Superintendent. If voters hold Reykdal accountable for the COVID-19-related challenges in the state education system and want a new face in the office, Olson could be elected in November. 

Peninsula School Board member David Olson will face incumbent Superintendent Chris Reykdal in the general election for Superintendent of Public Instruction, which oversees K-12 education in Washington State.