Ritz says campaign for governor a possibility

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz said in a press conference Thursday that she has not ruled out running for governor during the next election.

The Democrat said after the events of the just-completed legislative session, she needs to take a look at what her future should look like.

“There’s absolutely nothing off the table,” Ritz said.

Gov. Mike Pence wouldn’t say Thursday morning whether he’ll be seeking reelection, although he said he’s been preparing to do so. And Democrat John Gregg, whom Pence defeated in 2012, was expected to make an announcement Thursday about running again in 2016.

Ritz said she is now among those thinking about whether to run.

“The first priority is getting through this school year,” Ritz said. “We’re in the midst of testing, getting all that done, but after that I’m going to sit down with my family and determine what is best for the children and families in Indiana, and I’ll give you more information about that in June.”

Ritz said she didn’t feel like much was actually done for education in what Pence and other Republicans have consistently called an “education session” that boosted overall spending on public education by $460 million over the next two years.

“After viewing the outcome of this general session, it’s caused me to have pause and to actually look at how I want to reframe what I want to do to move education forward,” Ritz said.