Semler drops bid for Schools Superintendent

Rich SemlerRichland School District Superintendent Rich Semler announced Friday that he would end his campaign for Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction according to the Tri-City Herald. Semler told the paper that he made the decision in order to spend more time with his ailing wife, who recently learned that one of her kidneys is failing.

"I've put my family second most of my career. (This is) the right thing to do," Semler said. "There will be people who are disappointed, but I think they will understand."

This move causes a major shake-up in the race. Semler had raised a substantial sum of money for his campaign and had the support of Washington Education Association, the state's largest teacher's union.

Now the remaining candidates remaining include incumbent Terry Bergeson, whose support of the WASL has led to her growing unpopularity among teachers; Randy Dorn, who has raised ethics flags when it was just learned that he used union lobbyists to push for a massive pension raise for him and only one other person; David Blomstrom and Don Hansler.