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What’s at stake in this race
Local school districts in California largely control their own budgets and curriculum decisions, leaving the state’s superintendent with limited authority. The superintendent will have even less power under a new law that shifts authority to the governor’s office. Starting in 2027, a governor-appointed “education commissioner” will run the Department of Education and many of the superintendent’s duties will be transferred to the state school board. Still, the new superintendent will have a statewide platform to promote policies that affect nearly 6 million public school students. The office is nonpartisan.
The candidates
Richard Barrera
State superintendent adviser
Barrera, president of the San Diego Unified school board, was little known outside San Diego until he won the endorsement of the powerful California Teachers Association union. As a Sacramento outsider, he says he can bring a fresh perspective to the job, focusing on boosting school funding, early childhood education and easing the path to becoming a teacher.
Key endorsements
More voter resources:
Listen
20:02
Listen: Richard Barrera makes his case for state superintendent
Barrera, president of the San Diego Unified Board of Education and candidate for state superintendent, talks on LAist's AirTalk program about why voters should choose him.
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Sonja Shaw
School board president
President of the Chino Valley School Board, Shaw has been an outspoken opponent of protections for transgender students. She made headlines in 2023 when she presided over a school board meeting where State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was escorted out during a debate over transgender student rights. Shaw also supports shifting away from “radical ideologies” in the classroom and returning to academic basics.
Key endorsements
More voter resources:
Listen
18:49
Sonja Shaw makes her case for state superintendent
Shaw, president of the Chino Valley School Board and candidate for State Superintendent, talked to LAist's AirTalk program about why voters should choose her.
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