Ybarra wins Idaho chief of public instruction race

BOISE, Idaho (AP) – Republican candidate Sherri Ybarra has defeated Democratic opponent Jana Jones in the race for Idaho superintendent for public instruction.

Ybarra will replace two-term incumbent Tom Luna, who announced earlier this year he would not run for re-election.

Ybarra’s victory was narrow, garnering just 50.7 percent to Jones’ 49.3 percent. The win came as a surprise to some, as Ybarra had faced an uneven campaign trail over the past few months. Critics claimed she misled the public on her educational resume, accomplishments, endorsements and marital history.

Back in May, she also surprised politicians and analysts by winning the primary election despite raising less than $3,000 in campaign funds and barely traveling outside the small town she lives in.