Morning Bell: What They’re Saying About Glenda Ritz’s Victory Over Tony Bennett

Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana

Democrat Glenda Ritz, left, upset GOP incumbent Tony Bennett in the state superintendent's race Tuesday.

In case you missed it …

• In a stunning upset, Democrat Glenda Ritz captured 52 percent of the vote to beat out GOP incumbent Tony Bennett for the position of state schools chief. Check out our explainer on what Ritz’s victory is likely to mean for Indiana.
• Republican Mike Pence sailed to victory over Democrat John Gregg in the governor’s race. But whether he’ll make education the same priority as predecessor Mitch Daniels remains to be seen.
• Voters approved a steep tax hike to save Hamilton Community Schools, but the other two school referenda failed at the polls.

Why Tony Bennett’s Defeat Will Resonate Outside Of Indiana

Tony Bennett defeat will send shockwaves – “In particular, Bennett offended many teachers with his tough talk about the need for markedly better instruction in the state, which many translated into laying blame on teachers. He may have paid a heavy price for his rhetoric.” Get On The Bus

Glenda Ritz upsets Tony Bennett in Indiana education chief race – “Ritz, a public school teacher who switched political parties to take on Bennett, will be the first Democrat to hold the state superintendent’s office since 1971.” Indiana Economic Digest

A mandate for Ritz – “Gov.-elect Mike Pence might want to reconsider his plan to push for more school choice. The message Indiana voters sent in electing the first Democratic state superintendent in 42 years is a clear sign they’ve had enough.” The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Bennett Loses Indiana Chief’s Post, Charters Win in Georgia – “But he ran afoul of teachers unions, and Ritz made it a point in her campaign to blast Bennett for, in her view, obsessing over test scores and ignoring the needs of students and educators.” State EdWatch

Major school reformer ousted by teacher as Indiana schools superintendent – “The vote has resonance beyond Indiana because Bennett was a leader of the national market-driven school reform movement who pushed through a statewide voucher program and took other steps that critics said amounted to the privatization of public education.” The Answer Sheet