California Will Elect New Superintendent in November 2026
Voters will select a state superintendent despite recent shifts in how the California Department of Education is governed.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Do you trust the governor-appointed Board of Education to manage state schools better than an elected superintendent?
California voters will elect a new nonpartisan state superintendent of public instruction in November 2026. The candidates running for the role include San Diego Unified School Board President Richard Barrera and Chino Valley Unified School Board President Sonja Shaw.
Why it matters
The election occurs as the state government has transitioned authority over the Department of Education to a governor-appointed Board of Education. This change fundamentally alters the influence and oversight capabilities of the future superintendent.
Richard Barrera and Sonja Shaw are the two candidates seeking the nonpartisan position. In 2023, the Chino Valley board under Shaw approved a policy requiring parental notification if a student identifies as transgender.
The players
Richard Barrera
He currently serves as the president of the San Diego Unified School Board.
Sonja Shaw
She serves as the president of the Chino Valley Unified School Board and has advocated for parental notification policies.
Gavin Newsom
He is the current Governor of California who oversaw the legislative transfer of educational authority.
The details
Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers moved oversight of the Department of Education to a governor-appointed Board of Education. The candidate who wins the November election will step into a role that has been stripped of its previous administrative control over the department.
Timeline
The Chino Valley board approved a parental notification policy in 2023.
California voters will elect the new state superintendent in November 2026.
The new Board of Education begins official department oversight in January 2027.
Culture Shift
This election marks a significant transition in California governance, moving away from a traditional elected oversight model toward a centralized, governor-appointed administrative structure. It reflects a broader national trend where state-level education policy is increasingly shaped by executive appointments rather than independent, nonpartisan offices.
The transition to a governor-appointed Board of Education means voters may have less direct say over specific departmental policies regardless of who wins the superintendent race. Parents and residents should note that current school board policies, such as gender identity notification, may see ongoing scrutiny at the local district level.
The takeaway
Voters should distinguish between the symbolic nature of the superintendent office and the actual governing power held by the appointed Board of Education. Understanding this division of power is essential for citizens seeking to influence educational policies in their own local districts.
Further reading
For more context on state-level oversight, see the Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KCRA.
Live Poll
Do you trust the governor-appointed Board of Education to manage state schools better than an elected superintendent?
