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2020’s KEY EDUCATION VOTES: See our full coverage of the 46 races that could reshape America’s schools following Election Day — and get the latest updates on state policies and students’ challenges during the pandemic by signing up for Â鶹¾«Æ· Newsletter.Ìý

Republican Julie Yamamoto, a teacher and principal who recently retired after a 32-year career in education, won a commanding victory Tuesday over her Democratic opponent in a race for the Idaho state House.

While Yamamoto and challenger Rebecca Yamamoto Hanson diverged on issues such as whether to allow local-option sales taxes, they aligned on others, including the need to — Idaho currently relies on bi-annual supplemental levies — and for greater bipartisanship in upcoming legislative sessions.

Both candidates also happen to share the same last name and Japanese ancestry, but are not related.

Yamamoto, the sister of a local county clerk, was the only candidate in the southwest region of the state to defeat an incumbent candidate in the primary. She second-term Republican state Rep. Jarom Wagoner by 623 votes in the June primary.

The Idaho Elections Department Tuesday night, reporting Yamamoto with a 36-percentage point lead.

Schools will be a top priority for Yamamoto as she advances to the state House in Boise.

“I believe all Idahoans want an economically vibrant state and education system,” she .

Yamamoto is one of the 25 former educators included in Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s roundup of ex-teachers positioned to win state-level seats this Election Day. Check out the full cohort here.

2020’s KEY EDUCATION VOTES: See our full coverage of the 46 races that could reshape America’s schools following Election Day — and get the latest updates on state policies and students’ challenges during the pandemic by signing up for Â鶹¾«Æ· Newsletter.Ìý

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