SPOKANE (AP) — Randy Dorn is stepping down after eight years as state superintendent of public instruction, and two Democrats are vying to replace him as head of all aspects of the state's K-12 public education system.

The nonpartisan job pays $132,000 a year, and oversees some $9 billion in education spending.

State Rep. Chris Reykdal, of Tumwater, has served three terms in the state House as a Democrat, and is an administrator for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. He's also been a high school history teacher.

The other candidate, Erin Jones of Tacoma, is the first African-American woman to run for statewide office in Washington.

Jones works for the Tacoma School District as a teaching coach and program administrator. This is her first run for public office.

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