Sonja Shaw Launched Campaign for Superintendent

The Chino Valley school board president is seeking to lead California education amid high-stakes union opposition.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Secondary Education

Sonja Shaw Launched Campaign for Superintendent

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Sonja Shaw has launched her campaign for California superintendent of public instruction. Her bid comes as she faces vocal opposition from the United Teachers Los Angeles union over her policy agenda and criticisms of student achievement.

Why it matters

The race reflects a broader clash between school board leadership and teachers unions over curriculum influence and student outcomes. Shaw aims to challenge the established political power of these unions in the state's public education system.

In 2025, 46.46% of LAUSD students met or exceeded state standards in English language arts, while 36.76% did so in mathematics. As of September 15, 2026, the California Teachers Association spent $5,057,539 supporting Richard Barrera, compared to $10,000 for Shaw.

The players

Sonja Shaw

She serves as the president of the Chino Valley Unified School District board and is a candidate for California superintendent.

Richard Barrera

He is a candidate for superintendent of public instruction supported by the California Teachers Association.

Julie Van Winkle

She serves as the vice president of the United Teachers Los Angeles AFT union.

The details

Sonja Shaw, currently serving as president of the Chino Valley Unified School District board, has faced criticism from a United Teachers Los Angeles leader who labeled her a threat. Shaw publicly condemned the union regarding current student achievement metrics, positioning her platform in direct opposition to the teachers union's influence.

Testing data for California schools were collected throughout 2025.
Campaign expenditures were officially reported as of September 15, 2026.
Sonja Shaw discussed her campaign with Fox News Digital on September 29, 2026.

Roadmap

This race mirrors the recurring political tension between grassroots school board members and established state-level education interest groups. It follows a pattern of high-stakes spending established by previous California superintendent of public instruction elections.

The race may lead to significant shifts in state educational policy and curriculum oversight that directly affect how California students engage with public schooling. Parents and taxpayers should monitor the election outcome as it will determine the primary leadership directing state school standards.

The takeaway

Voters should examine how campaign funding from state interest groups compares to individual platforms when evaluating superintendent candidates. Comparing district-level student performance data against state-wide spending trends can help citizens understand the political stakes in this election.