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Past Fla. Schools Chiefs Seek Gov. Bush’s Job

Two former commissioners square off in GOP primary, share incumbent’s priorities.

Gov. Jeb Bush won’t be on the Republican ballot in Florida’s Sept. 5 primary for governor, but two of his former education commissioners will be. And the outcome will set the stage for a fall showdown that is expected to be, in part, a referendum on the two-term governor’s education policies.

Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher helped Gov. Bush implement his A-Plus school improvement plan, and each vows to maintain his education legacy by stressing accountability and school choice. Both are playing up their ties to the incumbent, even though some of Gov. Bush’s education ideas—such as using the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test to grade schools and award vouchers—aren’t nearly as popular as he is. The only major difference between the two Republican candidates is over a 2002 voter-approved amendment to reduce class sizes.

The winner of the GOP primary will face either U.S. Rep. Jim Davis or state Sen. Rod Smith, who are the front-runners for the Democratic nomination, in the Nov. 7 general election. Gov. Bush is prevented by the state constitution from seeking...