Barrera, Shaw Face Off for State Schools Chief
Democrat Richard Barrera and Republican Sonja Shaw compete for California Superintendent of Public Instruction on the November ballot.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Administration
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California voters choose between Democrat Richard Barrera and Republican Sonja Shaw for state Superintendent of Public Instruction on Tuesday, after the June primary advanced the two top candidates. The race follows incumbent Tony Thurmond's ineligibility to run due to term limits.
Why it matters
The superintendent serves as a voting member of governing boards for the state's transitional kindergarten through higher education systems, so the outcome shapes statewide education oversight. The candidates' backgrounds and endorsements reflect a contrast in approaches to school policy.
Barrera serves as president of the San Diego Unified School Board, a district of more than 121,000 students and California's second largest. Shaw serves as president of the Chino Valley Unified School Board in San Bernardino County, which enrolls about 25,500 students.
The players
Richard Barrera
Democratic candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction and president of the San Diego Unified School Board.
Sonja Shaw
Republican candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction and president of the Chino Valley Unified School Board.
Tony Thurmond
Incumbent California Superintendent of Public Instruction who is ineligible to run again due to term limits and has endorsed Barrera.
Rob Bonta
California Attorney General who sued the Chino Valley Unified School District over its parental notification policy.
The details
Barrera has been endorsed by Tony Thurmond, the California Teachers Association, the California Federation of Teachers, and the California School Employees Association. Shaw has been endorsed by Republican gubernatorial nominee Steve Hilton, the state Republican Party, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and her district was sued by Attorney General Rob Bonta over a policy requiring parental notification of changes to students' gender identification or pronouns.
Timeline
June 2026: The primary election narrowed the field to Barrera and Shaw.
November 3, 2026: California voters choose between Barrera and Shaw.
Season Trajectory
The open seat is a consequence of California's term limits that bar Tony Thurmond from seeking re-election. The outcome will determine whether the state's education leadership continues Thurmond's direction or shifts under a new superintendent.
The superintendent's voting seat on governing boards affects transitional kindergarten through higher education policy for California families. Parents with students in districts like San Diego Unified or Chino Valley Unified may see differing approaches to notification and curriculum depending on the winner.
The takeaway
Voters in California have a direct choice in the state's top education post, and the candidates' records on parental notification and local school governance offer concrete points to compare before November 3.
What happens next
California voters will choose between Barrera and Shaw on November 3, 2026, with the winner taking office as state superintendent.
Further reading
Explore more on education administration as California voters decide who will lead the state's schools.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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