Ruiz Will Challenge Yee for Arizona Superintendent Seat
Teresa Leyba Ruiz is campaigning for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction in the upcoming 2026 election.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Administration
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Teresa Leyba Ruiz, a former administrator and educator, is challenging Kimberly Yee for the position of Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction. Voters across Arizona will decide this race in the November 2026 election.
Why it matters
Ruiz is seeking the office due to concerns regarding current school funding levels and the treatment of teachers. Her platform focuses on policy shifts for state education programs and auditing financial oversight.
The current Arizona Department of Education automatically approves Empowerment Scholarship Accounts purchases valued at $2,000 or less. Teresa Leyba Ruiz proposes a third-party audit of this program and the closure of the Empower Hotline.
The players
Teresa Leyba Ruiz
She is a candidate for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction who previously served as an administrator at Glendale Community College.
Kimberly Yee
She is the current Arizona State Treasurer and a candidate for Arizona State Superintendent.
Tom Horne
He is the current Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The details
Ruiz, who spent 25 years teaching in South Phoenix and served as president at Glendale Community College, intends to reverse existing policies if elected. She argues the current automatic approval process for small scholarship purchases results from the department being understaffed.
Timeline
Ruiz spent 25 years as a teacher in South Phoenix.
A debate between the candidates for superintendent took place last month.
Arizona voters will elect a new superintendent in November 2026.
Culture Shift
This campaign centers on the governance of the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program, reflecting a broader debate over school choice accountability in Arizona. The proposed policy changes signal a sharp ideological divergence between candidates regarding state education oversight.
The proposed closure of the Empower Hotline and changes to scholarship oversight would directly impact how classroom lessons are reported and how state education funds are accessed. These administrative shifts could alter the daily procurement routines for families utilizing scholarship accounts.
The takeaway
The upcoming election will determine the future direction of state education policies including the handling of scholarship funds. Voters should review the specific administrative changes proposed by both candidates to understand potential shifts in local school oversight.
What happens next
Arizona voters will head to the polls to elect a new Superintendent of Public Instruction in November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on state oversight, visit the Arizona Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
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