2026 California Primary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Ten candidates. Top two on June 2 advance to November. Don't let one of them be Sonja Shaw.

For full candidate bios, endorsements, and detailed positions on key issues, see the full candidate guide →

The California Superintendent of Public Instruction oversees public education for nearly six million students. Seven Democrats are splitting the vote. One Republican, Sonja Shaw, is consolidating it. With more than half of voters undecided, Shaw doesn't need to win the primary; she only needs to finish second.

The threat: Sonja Shaw

School board president, Chino Valley Unified. Endorsed by the California Republican Party, Moms for Liberty, and the California Rifle and Pistol Association.

Shaw's campaign centers on mandatory parent notification when a child expresses gender-identity issues at school, and the exclusion of transgender students from girls' athletic teams. She has built a public profile as a MAGA culture warrior.

"Girls are losing roster spots, medals and scholarships."Sonja Shaw, on transgender athletes

The field

Sonja Shaw Republican ~7–9%

Chino Valley school board president; California Republican Party.
Richard Barrera Democrat ~6–8%

San Diego Unified board; California Teachers Association.
Al Muratsuchi Democrat ~5–7%

Assemblymember, education committee chair; CFT, CSEA.
Nichelle M. Henderson Democrat ~4–6%

LACCD trustee; CFT, California Legislative Black Caucus.
Josh Newman Democrat ~3–5%

State senator; State Building & Construction Trades Council.
Gus Mattamal Republican ~2–4%

Tutoring company executive (San Mateo County).
Anthony Rendon Democrat not surveyed

Former Assembly Speaker; AFSCME, SEIU California.
Frank Lara Peace & Freedom not surveyed

SFUSD teacher; United Educators of San Francisco.
Wendy Castañeda-Leal Democrat not surveyed

Rural district superintendent (Kern County).
Ainye Long Democrat not surveyed

SFUSD middle school math department chair.

A note on polling: No public horse-race poll exists for this race; figures are analyst readings of institutional backing. More than half of voters are undecided. All candidates appear as "Nonpartisan" on the ballot.

The money

Total raised through May 4, 2026.

Rendon $1,354,044
Muratsuchi $736,207
Shaw $353,287
Newman $304,210
Barrera $210,938
Mattamal $110,805
Henderson $80,138
Lara $37,842

Castañeda-Leal and Long have not reported significant fundraising.

Vote on or before Tuesday, June 2.

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West Hollywood Indivisible · 2026 Primary Brief
Updated May 8, 2026