Sonja Shaw Pledges Action in California School Superintendent Race

Sonja Shaw, the Chino Valley Unified school board president, declared she is ready to take office as California superintendent of public instruction on the eve of Election Day. The New York Post reported that Shaw is competing in Tuesday's election against San Diego Unified school board president Richard Barrera. [1]

Shaw stated that families across the state want schools that focus on reading, writing, and math, while protecting fairness and safety. The New York Post noted that she also promised a court battle regarding an overhaul by Governor Gavin Newsom, even though the position now carries reduced authority. [1]

The contest follows the primary election held on June 2, 2026. According to the New York Post, Shaw finished first among a ten-candidate field during the primary, placing ahead of Barrera before advancing to the general election runoff. [1][9]

In California, the superintendent of public instruction is an officially nonpartisan role. State election rules dictate that if no candidate earns an absolute majority during the primary, a runoff takes place during the general election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. [9][10]