Chris Reykdal, Washington’s superintendent of public instruction, talks to reporters in Olympia in 2017. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Chris Reykdal, Washington’s superintendent of public instruction, talks to reporters in Olympia in 2017. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Reykdal wants second term leading state public school system

Snohomish native, who narrowly won the seat in 2016, announced his re-election bid Thursday

OLYMPIA — Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal will seek another four-year term as leader of the state’s public schools system.

Reykdal informed supporters in an email Thursday that began “Happy 4th of July. A great day to announce to you that I am running for a second term.”

Reykdal, a Tumwater resident, was born and raised in Snohomish. He is a former high school history teacher and school board member.

A Democrat, he served three terms in the state House of Representatives before winning the statewide post in 2016.

That year, he finished second to Erin Jones in a nine-person primary. In the general election, Reykdal edged Jones by a single percentage point.

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