Rep. Chris Reykdal to run for Washington schools chief

SEATTLE (AP) — State Rep. Chris Reykdal says he plans to run for Washington superintendent of public instruction in 2016.

The Democrat from Tumwater was a classroom teacher before going to work as a staff member for the Washington state Senate. The OSPI job is a nonpartisan race.

Reykdal has served two terms in the state Legislature and is on his community college's board of trustees. This past session, he sponsored the bill to temporarily eliminate the need to pass a science test in order to earn a high school diploma.

Randy Dorn is the current superintendent. He was elected in 2008 and 2012. The next election for the job will be held in November 2016. State law would allow Dorn to seek a third term.