Left-Leaning Candidates Lead California School Board Races
Unofficial results show progressive candidates ahead in three races flagged by EdSource, with counties having until Dec. 3 to certify.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Administration
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Left-leaning candidates are leading comfortably in three California school board contests flagged by EdSource as races to watch. Unofficial results show progressive candidates ahead in some Inland Empire races, and counties have until Dec. 3 to certify the results.
Why it matters
The results show moderate incumbents and newcomers gaining ground in local school boards across California, shaping decisions on curriculum and student well-being in districts from Orange County to Palo Alto. Candidates in Orange Unified ran largely on parents' rights and fiscal responsibility, while a Palo Alto candidate campaigned on student well-being after a recent spate of student suicides.
Unofficial results show Davis Unified incumbent Elizabeth Moon ahead of Beth Bourne by 89 percentage points and Temecula challenger David Sola ahead of incumbent Joseph Komrosky by 10 percentage points. Counties have not yet certified these figures, so the margins could change before the Dec. 3 deadline.
The players
EdSource
EdSource is a California-based nonprofit news organization that covers public education across the state.
Orange Unified School District
Orange Unified School District is a public school district in Orange County, California, serving students across several cities.
Davis Unified School District
Davis Unified School District is a public school district serving the city of Davis in Yolo County, California.
Palo Alto Unified School District
Palo Alto Unified School District is a public school district serving the Palo Alto community in Santa Clara County, California.
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Temecula Valley Unified School District is a public school district serving the Temecula area in Riverside County, California.
The details
All four moderate incumbents in the Orange Unified School District are far ahead of conservative challengers, with Stephen Glass defeating Jack Chang. In Palo Alto, Avery Wang and Linda Henigin lead for two seats, and John Craig conceded on election night. Glass declared victory on social media.
Timeline
2025: Recall of two conservative Orange Unified school board members.
Election night: John Craig conceded in the Palo Alto race.
Dec. 3: Deadline for counties to certify election results.
Seasonal Patterns
These school board contests follow the pattern of the 2021–2022 California recall and election cycle, when pandemic-era disputes over reopening and curriculum drew intense local engagement. Whether this November's results mark a similar swing or a more moderate shift will become clearer once counties certify on Dec. 3.
Parents in the affected districts will see which board members set policy on curriculum, budgets, and student support starting after certification. Voters who want to track final outcomes can watch county election offices for certified totals before Dec. 3.
The takeaway
School board races often shape day-to-day decisions that affect families more directly than many higher-profile elections. Checking certified results from your county election office after Dec. 3 gives the most reliable picture of who will serve.
What happens next
Counties must certify election results by Dec. 3, at which point the unofficial leads in these school board races will be confirmed or revised.
Further reading
For more on how district leadership is chosen, explore Administration coverage across California.
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