BOISE — Republican Sherri Ybarra has won a second four-year term as Idaho's superintendent of public instruction.
Ybarra, a former teacher and curriculum director who was first elected to the top schools post in 2014, beat Democratic challenger Cindy Wilson, a longtime teacher and Department of Correction board member.
Ybarra spent 17 years as a teacher, district administrator and curriculum director for the Mountain Home School District before seeking higher political office.
The tight race was too close to call until Wednesday morning. Ybarra ultimately captured 302,401 votes - 52 percent - while Wilson trailed with 283,947 votes.
The position requires overseeing the state's public school system. The superintendent of public instruction also serves on the five-member Idaho Land Board, which oversees 2.5 million acres of land to benefit state public schools.
