Superintendent of Public Instruction
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Randy Dorn | 573,211 | 55.98% |
| Ronald Higgins | 157,230 | 15.36% |
| James Bauckman | 136,401 | 13.32% |
| Don Hansler | 94,735 | 9.25% |
| John Patterson Blair | 62,334 | 6.09% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
About the Race
This is a non-partisan position.
The Candidates
Ronald Higgins
- Age:
- 77
- City:
- Richland, Washington
Education: Graduated from San Carlos High School in California in 1965. Earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from California Polytechnic State University in 1969. Earned a master’s degree in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida in 1970. Earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Washington in 1980.
Political Experience: Ran for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2012 and 2016.
Work Experience: Served in U.S. Marine Corps. Engineer at U.S. Department of Energy from 1991 to 2009. Substitute teacher in Washington since 2009. Substitute teacher in California from January to May 2015.
Family: Married to Deborah Higgins. Has two children.
Don Hansler
- Age:
- 95
- City:
- Spanaway, WA
A retired math and science teacher, Hansler contemplated a 2012 run for president of the United States but ran into difficulty meeting the requirements to get his fledgling Common Sense Party on the ballot in all 50 states.
John Patterson Blair
- Age:
- 79
- City:
- Vashon, Washington
Residence: Vashon
Education: Graduated from Haverford College 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Graduated from Temple University with a master’s of education in science 1973.
Work experience: Worked as a high school science teacher 1969-76 and science curriculum development 1970-72. Worked as a National Education Association contract negotiator. Founder and teacher at Cinnaminson Public Alternative High School in New Jersey, 1972-76.
Political experience: Served on Vashon Island School Board from 1998-2002. Lost re-election in 2002. Lost races for the Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016. Life member of the Libertarian Party.
Family: Married to Anne Blair. Has two adult children, three grandkids.
Campaign Contributions: Has reported receiving no campaign contributions.