Reykdal Won't Seek Reelection as Superintendent
Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal says he will not run for a fourth term in 2028.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Should elected officials be term-limited even when the law does not require it?
Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced Monday that he will not seek reelection, ending his tenure after serving since 2016. Reykdal says he will decide in the coming months between running for a different statewide office, seeking federal office, or leaving elective office.
Why it matters
The decision opens the state superintendent seat ahead of the 2028 election cycle and leaves open whether Reykdal will seek another statewide or federal post. Washington has no term limits for statewide office, and Reykdal cited the value of leadership change in public institutions as his reason for stepping aside.
Reykdal has served as state superintendent since 2016 and would have sought a fourth term in 2028. Washington does not impose term limits on statewide office, and Reykdal has not yet said which path he will take next.
The players
Chris Reykdal
Chris Reykdal is the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who has led the state's K-12 education agency since 2016.
The details
Reykdal announced the decision in a written statement, citing his work on equitable school funding, career and technical education, and defending public education. He said he and his wife Kim will discuss his next steps over the coming months.
Timeline
2016: Reykdal first elected state superintendent.
Monday, November 9, 2026: Reykdal announces he will not seek reelection.
2028: Reykdal's current term ends and the next statewide decision point arrives.
Education Governance
Because Washington sets no term limits for statewide office, Reykdal's departure reflects a personal choice rather than a legal requirement. The open superintendent seat in 2028 will be decided under the state's standard election process.
Families and school districts in Washington will see a new superintendent chosen in the 2028 election, which will shape state school policy and funding priorities. Voters will have the chance to weigh in on the state's K-12 leadership direction at that time.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions in public education give voters a regular opportunity to reassess priorities on school funding and career training. Watching the coming months will show whether Reykdal seeks another statewide or federal office.
What happens next
Reykdal and his wife Kim will discuss his next steps in the coming months, with a decision on a possible 2028 run for another statewide office still pending.
Further reading
For broader context on how state education leadership is structured, see Administration coverage.
Live Poll
Should elected officials be term-limited even when the law does not require it?
