Heads the Montana Office of Public Instruction and oversees the state’s K-12 school system, much of which is governed directly by locally elected school boards. Also holds a seat on the state land board. Elected to a four-year term. Incumbent Elsie Arntzen is seeking re-election.
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Candidates
Key coverage in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction
Race profile: The rematch for OPI
Four years after their first electoral contest, Elsie Arntzen and Melissa Romano are once again battling for the state superintendent of public instruction seat.
Montana Lowdown: Elsie Arntzen
Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen interviewed by MTFP Editor-In-Chief John Adams before the June 2020 primary
Montana Lowdown: Melissa Romano
Teacher Melissa Romano interviewed by MTFP Editor-In-Chief John Adams before the June 2020 primary
MTN News debate: Superintendent of Public Instruction
Video of Arntzen and Romano at their MTN News debate broadcast Sept. 18
Campaign finance
As reported in quarterly filings. Data current through 11/02/2020.
$694,327
Total raised in race
$619,756
Total spent
| Candidate | Total raised | Itemized individual contributions | Committee contributions | Self-financing | Unitemized contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Romano (D) | $489,799 | $340,346 | $14,140 | $350 | $134,963 |
| Elsie Arntzen (R-INCUMBENT) | $204,528 | $80,648 | $16,260 | $85,000 | $22,620 |
| Kevin Leatherbarrow (L) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Note: Self-financing includes candidate contributions and campaign loans. Prior to Jan. 17, 2019, these figures underreported fundraising for state candidates by omitting unitemized contributions. Unitemized contribution totals, which include small-dollar donations, are calculated here by subtracting itemized cash contributions from reported fundraising totals.
Source: Campaign finance reports filed with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices. See the COPP-administered Campaign Electronic Reporting System for official records.
Primary results
Vote totals from Montana's June 2, 2020 primary election.
GOP OPI primary
| Candidate | Votes counted | % of vote | Votes behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELSIE ARNTZEN | 178,151 | 100.0% | 0 |
Dem. OPI primary
| Candidate | Votes counted | % of vote | Votes behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELISSA ROMANO | 132,786 | 100.0% | 0 |
Media coverage
Stories tracked in our database of 2020 election coverage.
Great Falls Tribune
School superintendent candidates face each other 2nd time
10/31/2020
NBC Montana
NBC Montana/Strategies 360 poll shows extremely tight Montana races
10/22/2020
Montana Public Radio
Romano Criticizes Handling Of School Relief Funding, But Offers No Plan
10/19/2020
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Zoom or bust: Some Montana candidates turn to virtual meeting platform to campaign
09/27/2020
KXLH
MTN Debate: OPI candidates Arntzen and Romano discuss education priorities
08/30/2020
Missoula Current
Student debt, early ed and teacher talent top Cooney’s public education plan
08/28/2020
406 MT Sports
Montana schools chief wants at least some fans in stands at sporting events
08/26/2020
MTN News
Montana schools chief questions school mask guidelines
08/24/2020
KGVO
OPI Superintendent Arntzen Slams Governor Bullock on Education
07/21/2020
MTN News
Helena teacher, and husband of OPI candidate, faces felony drug charge
12/03/2019
Lee Newspapers
Romano to take another run at top education job in 2020
04/30/2019
Great Falls Tribune
Montana superintendent Elsie Arntzen, six weeks in
04/30/2019
Havre Daily News
Dem statewide office candidates speak in Havre
Stay tuned for more
We'll be updating this page with new information through Election Day in November 2020.
Have ideas about additional coverage that would be helpful as you consider your vote? Tell us at edietrich@montanafreepress.org.