MADISON, Wis. — Following Dr. Jill Underly’s primary victory, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler issued the following statement:

“Jill Underly is a champion for Wisconsin’s public schools, educators, and kids, and is the proven leader we need at the Department of Public Instruction. As Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jill helped pass a new bipartisan literacy law, raised standards for math and science, and expanded career and technical education. Today, Wisconsin’s graduation rate is the highest in state history. Jill knows there’s more work to do and her proven record shows she will deliver. Wisconsin Democrats are ready to wage a strong door-to-door campaign to re-elect Jill Underly.

“This record of proven leadership stands in stark contrast to lobbyist Brittany Kinser, who has never even held a teaching license in Wisconsin. Kinser’s campaign is funded by Republican megadonors and stage-managed by a former Republican legislator because they love that Kinser has promised to drain funds from our public schools and give them to private for-profit schools. Kinser even advocated to remove teacher licensing requirements. Our kids don’t need a right-wing puppet to lead our schools. That’s why, come April 1, Jill Underly will be re-elected.”