Randy Dorn

State Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Medina) proposed today that the state legislature should work toward a bill this session that would amend the state constitution to make the superintendent of public instruction an appointed position.

It is currently a non-partisan statewide elected job with a four year term. Current Superintendent Terry Bergeson has held the post for twelve years and is seeking re-election against Eatonville’s Randy Dorn.

Tom, who briefly sought the Democratic nomination for congress in the 8th District last year, thinks it would help to define the governor’s role in implementing education policy.

A new poll from KING 5 and SurveyUSA shows the Washington gubernatorial race continuing to be tight. The survey, completed August 11 and 12 from 718 state voters, asked "If you were filling out your ballot for Governor right now, would you vote for (choices rotated) Republican Dino Rossi? Or, Democrat Christine Gregoire?"

Results showed Gregoire with 50 percent of the vote and Rossi with 48 percent with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percent.

Newspapers get to endorse candidates, and we're at least as smart as them, so here are our endorsements for statewide candidates in the Washington primary election.

Randy Dorn, who is running for superintendent of public instruction, will join Rich Semler, the erstwhile candidate, for a press conference in Semler's native Tri-Cities today. The press release, seen here at the TNT, says the two will "announce two major developments" about the race.

When Semler abruptly droppped out of the race in late May he was seen as incumbent Terry Bergeson's top challenger. He had raised a substantial amount of money and had the backing of the state's powerful teachers union, the Washington Educators Association.

More to come on the "major" announcements as they arrive but, as the TNT suggests, it will likely be both Semler's and the WEA's endorsement of Dorn.

SPOKANE - 

The Democratic Party's Executive Board met this morning and endorsed Randy Dorn for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

PolitickerWA.com caught up with Dorn for a comment on the news.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson welcomed the news that more than 90% of high school seniors had passed the graduation requirements of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.

One of her opponents, Randy Dorn, does not see it that way. He called Bergeson's celebration "shortsighted and off the mark." 

Rich SemlerRichland School District Superintendent Rich Semler announced Friday that he would end his campaign for Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction according to the Tri-City Herald. Semler told the paper that he made the decision in order to spend more time with his ailing wife, who recently learned that one of her kidneys is failing.

"I've put my family second most of my career. (This is) the right thing to do," Semler said. "There will be people who are disappointed, but I think they will understand."

The WEA really doesn't want Terry Bergeson to be Superintendent anymore. But nobody else really wants the job either. Here's why.

The Spokesman-Review's Richard Roesler has a good rundown on the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He saw all five candidate speak Tuesday, and gives a rundown of each person.

Read the full story here.

The TNT's Political Buzz is reporting that Randy Dorn, the Executive Director of Public Schools Employees of Washington, an SEIU union, will run for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Dorn, a former Democratic State Rep. from Eatonville, issued a statement about his candidacy on the PSE website.

"I know how our public schools work from top to bottom and I can lay out a positive vision for our school system," Dorn said. "I appreciate the vital roles played by all educational employees and stakeholders. And I understand the political process where changes need to be made."