WA SUPREME COURT CLARIFIES DECISION, ESPINOZA VOTERS' PAMPHLET STATEMENT IS TRUE

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON-- In a 6-3 majority decision, the Washington State Supreme Court issued an opinion in Reykdal v. Espinoza Thursday stating that “Reykdal could not meet his burden to demonstrate that Espinoza’s statement is false,” in his suit against Maia Espinoza, a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI). The court has finally drawn to a close this protracted attempt by the incumbent to censor his opponent for exposing the questionable material he claims is age-appropriate. 

The suit originated after Espinoza included the line "The incumbent ignored parents and educators by championing a policy that teaches sexual positions to 4th graders!" in her voters' pamphlet statement. While the court previously ruled in Espinoza’s favor, the full opinion was handed down Thursday stating that the incumbent SPI, Chris Reykdal, could not establish falsity in Espinoza’s claim.

“Reykdal has made a habit of painting Espinoza’s stellar record as untruthful all the while blatantly lying about the content of this bill. It’s sad that the chief of Washington’s schools has so little integrity,” said Espinoza’s campaign manager Monica Marchetti.

“This is a huge win for parents across the state,” said Espinoza, “we knew this statement to be true, and I’m happy to have this recognized by our State's highest court.”

Espinoza’s statement contains just one example of the curriculum content Superintendent Reykdal has come under fire for. Parents have raised concerns over several lessons in the curricula, approved by Reykdal, that include graphic material. One of the chief complaints has been whether or not materials are actually age-appropriate. 

The opinion states that “The 3Rs Curriculum intends that fourth graders view and learn from the It’s Perfectly Normal book with their parents or guardians as a supplement to classroom instruction. Indeed, the handout encourages it. And while the record does not show that Reykdal personally intended to teach sexual positions to fourth graders, Espinoza’s candidate statement criticized Reykdal’s policy and its results, not his personal teaching. Reykdal’s argument that the handout is not part of the curriculum is also flawed."

Over the course of the State Superintendent campaign, several media outlets have billed the Thurston County Superior court’s ruling as final. The Espinoza campaign is now calling on reporters to correct the record after the Supreme Court overturned this decision, specifying that the statement was not false. 

Marchetti went on to say that “it’s quite clear our statement in the voter’s guide was true but we’re glad the Supreme Court has finally put this issue to bed.” She also stated that “this lawsuit was never about the statement, it’s obvious Reykdal felt threatened and out of desperation, needed to lash out at his challenger because he can’t stand on his ideas or merit.” 

Watch Espinoza's response in a recent Facebook live found here.