Munro, Pritchard Endorse Bergeson For Superintendent

Washington’s two Republican statewide elected officials on Monday endorsed Terry Bergeson for state school superintendent.

Bergeson, former president of the Washington Education Association and a favorite of the state Democrats, picked up the backing of Lt. Gov. Joel Pritchard and Secretary of State Ralph Munro, both moderate-to-liberal Republicans.

The state school post is nonpartisan, but this year, as usual, it has partisan overtones. Bergeson’s competitor in the Nov. 5 runoff is Olympia millionaire businessman Ron Taber, who unsuccessfully ran for state Republican chairman in January 1993.

Bergeson is favored. She finished far ahead of Taber in the September primary, winning 39 percent in an 11-person field. Taber had 17 percent.

“Terry works effectively with Republicans and Democrats because her focus is always on kids and learning,” Munro said. Added Pritchard, “There’s a stark contrast in the candidates for SPI. I plan to vote for Terry Bergeson.”

Former three-term Republican Gov. Dan Evans endorsed Bergeson in August.

Bergeson also has endorsements from legislators from both parties, the WEA, state Labor Council, King County Democrats, aerospace machinists, Women’s Political Caucus, and the state troopers association.