California Superintendent Race Pits Barrera Against Shaw

California families with public-school children will see the new superintendent shape school policy when voters decide on November 3, 2026.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Administration

California Superintendent Race Pits Barrera Against Shaw

Live Poll

Do you think California's public schools are getting better or worse for students?

California voters will choose between Democrat Richard Barrera and Republican Sonja Shaw in the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Barrera and Shaw advanced from the June primary after incumbent Tony Thurmond was ineligible to run due to term limits.

Why it matters

The state superintendent sits as a voting member of governing boards for California's transitional kindergarten through higher education systems, so the winner will shape decisions affecting school districts and families statewide. Barrera and Shaw come from districts with very different sizes and political leadership, which signals a sharp contrast in direction for public schools.

The race is for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, with voters deciding on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Barrera leads San Diego Unified, which enrolls more than 121,000 students, while Shaw leads Chino Valley Unified, which enrolls about 25,500 students.

The players

Richard Barrera

Democratic candidate and president of the San Diego Unified School Board, whose district is California's second largest.

Sonja Shaw

Republican candidate and president of the Chino Valley Unified School Board in San Bernardino County.

Tony Thurmond

Incumbent State Superintendent of Public Instruction who is ineligible to run 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 on gender identification and pronouns.

The details

Candidates advance to the general election through California's June primary, where the top two finishers move forward regardless of party. Barrera, president of the San Diego Unified School Board, has been endorsed by Tony Thurmond, the California Teachers Association, the California Federation of Teachers, and the California School Employees Association. Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School Board in San Bernardino County, has been endorsed by Republican gubernatorial nominee Steve Hilton, the state Republican Party, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

June 2026: The primary election narrowed the field to Barrera and Shaw.
November 3, 2026: California voters choose between Barrera and Shaw.

The Home Front

The superintendent race reflects a broader state debate over how school districts handle parental notification and student identity policies, a dispute that has already reached the courts through the attorney general's lawsuit against Chino Valley Unified. Families across California's large and mid-sized districts are watching these governance questions as they weigh the direction of local schools.

If you have children in California public schools, check your district's board and its parent-notification policies, since the superintendent's office sits on governing boards that affect local decisions. Before Election Day, review each candidate's endorsements and stated positions so you can match them to the school issues that matter most for your household.

The takeaway

The state superintendent's seat affects school policy across California, so the choice carries weight for families well beyond one district. Note the November 3, 2026 election date and review each candidate's positions on parent notification and school governance before you vote.