California’s nonpartisan race for state superintendent of public instruction has intensified after Sonja Shaw, a conservative Republican candidate, publicly criticized the state’s largest teachers union, calling herself a ‘real threat’ to their agenda.
The Los Angeles Unified School District’s 2025 assessment results—showing that 53.5% of students did not meet the English standard and 63.2% did not meet the math standard—have become a focal point in the debate. Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District board, accused the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) of prioritizing ideology over academic outcomes, citing the union’s alleged opposition to her candidacy as evidence of misplaced priorities.
Richard Barrera, a liberal Democrat and former San Francisco school board member, is Shaw’s primary opponent. The race is officially nonpartisan, though analysts note that party affiliations are likely to influence voter behavior. In the June primary, Shaw led with 22.6% of the vote, while Barrera secured 20.3%, with Democrats collectively capturing 67.6% of the vote.
The California Teachers Association (CTA), a major backer of Barrera, has poured significant resources into the campaign. The office’s authority has been reduced under recent legislation, though the full scope of the changes remains unresolved.
Campaign Dynamics and Policy Stakes
Shaw’s criticism of UTLA follows a circulated video in which a union leader reportedly called her a ‘real threat’ and warned her election ‘would cause a huge problem’ for the union. Shaw framed the union’s reaction as confirmation of her commitment to ‘parents over politics’ and ‘kids over ideology’, adding that the union’s focus on opposing her aligns with its broader priorities.
Barrera, backed by the CTA, has not directly responded to Shaw’s remarks but has emphasized his alignment with the union’s goals, which include expanded funding for public schools and opposition to school choice initiatives. The CTA’s influence in the race underscores the high stakes for educators and advocacy groups.
The Role of the State Superintendent’s Office
The position of state superintendent has seen its powers diminished under Governor Gavin Newsom’s restructuring plan, approved by the Legislature in June. While the office retains some oversight, many of its traditional duties have been redistributed or remain undefined. The outgoing superintendent, Tony Thurmond, was term-limited and did not seek re-election, instead running unsuccessfully for governor.
Key Dates and Voter Considerations
The November 3, 2026, general election will determine the next superintendent. Voters will weigh Shaw’s pledge to challenge the education establishment against Barrera’s alignment with organized labor. The race has drawn attention beyond education policy, serving as a bellwether for broader debates over public education, parental rights, and the influence of teachers unions in California politics.