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Rep. Black To Run Against Fox For Ed Chief Idaho State Schools Superintendent Anne Fox Is Doing A Bad Job Of Leading, Candidate Says

Associated Press B Staff writer

State Rep. Ron Black said Monday state Schools Superintendent Anne Fox is doing a bad job providing leadership and Idaho education is suffering as a result.

Black, R-Twin Falls, announced his campaign for the Republican nomination in next year’s election. He’s the first to formally announce, although several potential candidates have discussed making the race.

“Idaho deserves better than it is getting,” said Black, 53.

With Fox, he said, “The messenger is overshadowing the message.”

Asked how his message differs from Fox’s, Black offered an example: Where Fox limited a batch of federal grants to only those school districts offering abstinenceonly sex education, he would have left the decision on the type of sex education up to the school districts.

“I don’t think we should be trying to dictate to local districts,” he said.

He acknowledged that if many challengers get into the race against the incumbent, it’s likely she would capture the GOP nomination.

But Black said he is announcing early, 15 months before the primary, to give him a chance to meet with the other potential candidates and narrow the field a little.

He said he’s already spoken with potential candidates Sen. Denton Darrington, R-Declo, and New Plymouth schools superintendent Ryan Kerby.

Others who have discussed possibly running include former Sen. Tim Tucker, D-Porthill; former Rep. Richard Adams, D-Grangeville; and Boise teacher Steve Smylie, son of former Gov. Robert Smylie.

Black served four years as chairman of the House Education Committee before moving to the Legislature’s Budget Committee this session.

Among his accomplishments, he noted that he worked for technology funding for public schools, which so far has provided $30 million.

Fox won the job in the 1994 election running against former Idaho Education Association President Will Sullivan.

“I will not be running against the IEA,” Black said.

“I will not be running on behalf of any group except the children. If I can pick up support of teachers, administrators or any other group that has the interests of children at heart, that’s where I will go.”

Black is married and has seven children. He works as director of refugee services for the College of Southern Idaho.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Associated Press Staff writer Betsy Z. Russell contributed to this report.