Richard Barrera has won the race for California superintendent of public instruction, defeating Chino Valley school board president Sonja Shaw. Barrera, a San Diego school board president endorsed by California’s teachers union, secured approximately 57.6% of the vote, while Shaw garnered 42.4%, according to results updated Thursday morning.
Shaw conceded the race on Thursday, stating that voters had made their choice. "I would be lying if I said my heart wasn’t heavy," Shaw said. "As a mother and a protector of children, I feel deeply saddened for the kids. They are the ones who deserve so much better."
Shaw attributed her loss to significant funding disparities, noting that over $10 million was spent against her campaign. She characterized Barrera's supporters as a "political machine that has been in place for decades," contrasting it with the "people" who supported her campaign, including parents, teachers, and everyday Californians.
Barrera, 59, will step into a role that is set to change significantly. A law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this summer will eliminate the elected superintendent position in 2027. The next governor will appoint an education commissioner to lead the California Department of Education, while the elected superintendent will transition to a role as a voting member of the State Board of Education and join the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, in addition to remaining a UC regent and CSU trustee.
The new superintendent and the appointed commissioner are expected to collaborate on defining the commissioner's role by mid-2027.
Neither candidate supported the overhaul of the superintendent role. Shaw had vowed to challenge the law, calling it an unconstitutional "power grab," though legal experts suggested such a lawsuit would likely fail. Barrera, however, appeared more amenable to the change, proposing to use the redefined office to draft an education budget with educators and parents before the governor presents his annual spending plan.
Shaw, 44, is a former stay-at-home mother who was elected to the Chino Valley Unified board in 2022. She gained prominence in 2023 for her role in a board meeting where then-Superintendent Tony Thurmond was removed during a contentious debate over a policy requiring parental notification regarding a student's gender identity. California has since enacted a law prohibiting such policies.
Shaw's platform also included opposition to transgender girls participating in girls' sports and support for reinstating the SAT as a requirement for University of California admissions. She received endorsements from the California Republican Party, Moms for Liberty California, and the California Rifle and Pistol Association.
Barrera, a labor organizer with 18 years of experience on the San Diego Unified board, works as a senior adviser for special projects at the state Department of Education. His policy positions include supporting a permanent income tax for school funding, advocating for more counselors and nurses, and reducing class sizes. He opposed reinstating the SAT requirement and supported existing LGBTQ+ student protections.
Barrera secured the backing of the California Democratic Party, as well as both the California Teachers Association and the California Charter Schools Association. Campaign finance records show the CTA spent $8.4 million to support Barrera and oppose Shaw.
During a debate in October, Barrera linked Shaw to former President Donald Trump, while Shaw accused Barrera of suffering from "Trump derangement syndrome." Barrera contended that Shaw used her platform to divide people and target vulnerable students, while Shaw argued that Barrera treated student outcomes as mere talking points.