Wash. Voters Narrow 11-Candidate Field in Chief's Race to Two

Longtime educator and former teachers union president Terry Bergeson will face millionaire real-estate developer and former college professor Ron Taber in the race for Washington state schools chief.

Voters last week narrowed a crowded, nonpartisan field of 11 candidates to two. Ms. Bergeson collected about 38 percent of the vote, and Mr. Taber roughly 17 percent, although absentee ballots were still uncounted last week.

The current superintendent of public instruction, Judith A. Billings, is not seeking re-election. The campaign to choose her successor is seen as the highest-profile state chief's race in Washington history. ( "11 Duke It Out in High-Profile Race for Schools Chief in Wash.," ...