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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Republican candidate Sherri Ybarra has defeated Democratic opponent Jana Jones in the race for Idaho superintendent for public instruction.
Ybarra will replace two-term incumbent Tom Luna, who did not run for re-election.
"I am honored and proud because they have entrusted me with the position of 'Chief of Schools' and I will do everything I can to defend that trust. I also want to thank my opponent for her hard work running a statewide campaign. It isn't easy, so thank you Jana Jones. I am excited about moving education forward for Idaho's students," Ybarra said in a prepared statement.
Ybarra's victory was narrow, garnering just 50.7 percent to Jones' 49.3 percent. The win came as a surprise to some, as Ybarra had faced an uneven campaign trail over the past few months.
Ybarra, a political newcomer and former teacher, previously served as federal curriculum director at Mountain Home School District in southwestern Idaho. Jones had nearly twice as much experience than Ybarra and served for two former state superintendents.
Back in May, Ybarra surprised politicians and analysts by winning the primary election despite raising less than $3,000 and barely traveling outside the small town of Mountain Home where she lives.
She then raised eyebrows when it was revealed she hadn't voted in the past 15 out of 17 state elections. She was criticized for misleading the public on her education resume, achievements and marital history. She also had to scrub sections of her website after it was found they mirrored the language found on her opponent's site.
With the Idaho Legislature set to start in two months, Ybarra must prepare to submit an education budget which will be reviewed and possibly adopted by state lawmakers.
Ybarra has previously said she would not change the budget Luna set out earlier this year which called for 6.9 percent increase, the highest increase request his office had ever proposed. The amount will boost Idaho's public schools funding by $94 million in fiscal year 2015.
However, she also said she wouldn't be able to speak authoritatively about the budget until she was elected.
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