Contenders for Education Secretary?

With the presidential campaign in full swing, school-group lobbyists and other education observers in Washington are speculating on the likely candidates for secretary of education in a Bush or Gore administration. Here is a roundup of some of the most frequently mentioned names.
(For biographies, click on the potential candidate’s name. You will leave Education Week‘s site.)

DEMOCRATS		REPUBLICANS
North Carolina Gov. James B. Hunt Jr—During his four nonconsecutive terms as governor, he has backed efforts to raise teacher salaries while increasing standards, and supported an extensive early-childhood program. He helped found and chaired the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.		Houston Superintendent Rod Paige—The superintendent of the nation’s seventh-largest school district is also an education adviser to Gov. Bush. Mr. Paige, a leader in urban education, could become the first African-American secretary of education.
Delaware Gov. Thomas R. Carper—If he loses his bid for the U.S. Senate next month, this Cabinet seat could be his consolation prize. In two terms as governor, he has championed education accountability.		Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge—Gov. Ridge is seen as having views on education reform similar to those of Mr. Bush. The Pennsylvania governor has focused on accountability and improving failing schools during his six years in that office.
White House Domestic-Policy Adviser Bruce Reed—Mr. Reed has worked on education policy, among other issues, for eight years in the Clinton administration, and is now working with Vice President Gore’s presidential campaign.		Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson—The four-term governor also shares many of Gov. Bush’s views on education. He is best-known nationally for the state-enacted school voucher program in Milwaukee and for Wisconsin’s welfare-reform initiatives.