Washington Superintendent Chris Reykdal Will Not Seek 2028 Re-election
Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced he will not seek a fourth term in 2028, though he may pursue other statewide or federal offices.
Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal announced on November 9, 2026, that he will not seek a fourth term in the 2028 election. First elected in 2016, Reykdal is the first statewide official in Washington to formally announce plans for the 2028 cycle. He described the decision as a form of self-imposed term limits, arguing that public institutions are strengthened when new voices emerge.
While he will not run for re-election as superintendent, Reykdal is weighing whether to run for a different statewide office, seek federal office, or leave elective office entirely. For his final two years, he intends to focus on academic achievement, student well-being, and sustainable school funding.
Reykdal's tenure has been defined by managing a $20 billion system through the COVID-19 pandemic and navigating federal policy under the administration of Donald Trump. However, his leadership has faced criticism from groups like The Center Square, which accused him of politicizing a non-partisan office. Critics cited his support for prolonged school lockdowns, his opposition to I-638 regarding transgender athletes, and his prioritization of social equity over declining academic performance, which Reykdal previously dismissed as misinformation.
