Barrera Wins California Superintendent Race as Shaw Concedes
Richard Barrera, who leads the San Diego Unified school board, prevailed in California’s race for superintendent of public instruction, defeating Chino Valley school board president Sonja Shaw. With all precincts reporting, Barrera had 57.6% of the vote to Shaw’s 42.4%, a margin of more than one million votes. Shaw conceded after the election and said she would continue advocating for children and parents.
Barrera, 59, campaigned on increased school funding and making schools safe and healthy for students. He supports California’s protections for transgender students and opposes restoring the SAT requirement for University of California admissions. The California Teachers Association spent millions of dollars backing him and opposing Shaw; Barrera also received endorsements from the state Democratic Party and the California Charter Schools Association.
Shaw, 44, argued that California’s education system needed a change and opposed letting transgender girls take part in girls’ athletics. She also backed reinstating the SAT requirement. Her campaign received support from the state Republican Party and Moms for Liberty California. Shaw said the campaign had been outspent but described it as a movement she intended to keep building.
The winner will take office as the superintendent’s responsibilities are being reshaped. A law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom shifts management of the state Education Department to a commissioner appointed by the next governor, Xavier Becerra, starting in 2027. The superintendent will retain other board and governing roles, and the superintendent and commissioner are expected to negotiate a job description during the first six months of that year.
Barrera has said he wants to propose education budget priorities for Becerra to consider. Shaw has denounced the change as an unconstitutional seizure of authority and vowed to take legal action to stop it; legal experts have said such a challenge is unlikely to succeed.
Barrera’s Win Backs Public Schools and Protections for Students
Richard Barrera’s decisive win in California’s superintendent race is a victory for public schools, student support and protections for transgender students. He defeated Sonja Shaw with 57.6% of the vote, compared with her 42.4%, as all precincts reported. Shaw conceded after the November 3 election.
Barrera campaigned for increased school funding and schools that are safe and healthy for all students. He supports California’s protections for transgender students, opposes restoring the SAT requirement for UC admissions and has advocated for additional counselors, nurses and reduced class sizes. The California Teachers Association spent millions backing him, and he was also endorsed by the state Democratic Party and the California Charter Schools Association.
Shaw opposed transgender girls competing in girls’ sports and supported bringing back the SAT requirement. Her campaign criticized the education system and sought to undo state protections that bar school districts from requiring parents to be notified when a student identifies as transgender. Those positions put her at odds with the inclusive approach Barrera championed.
Barrera takes office as a law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom shifts management of the state Education Department to a commissioner appointed by incoming Gov. Xavier Becerra, starting in 2027. The elected superintendent will keep other board and governing roles, and the superintendent and commissioner are expected to negotiate a job description in the first six months of the year.
Barrera says he wants to put forward budget priorities for Becerra to consider. Shaw has vowed to sue over the restructuring, calling it an unconstitutional power grab; legal experts have said the case is unlikely to succeed.
Shaw’s Strong Showing Exposes California School Voters’ Frustration
Richard Barrera won California’s superintendent race, but Sonja Shaw’s 42.4% share gives a statewide platform to parents who want a stronger voice in schools. Barrera received 57.6% with all precincts reporting; Shaw conceded after the November 3 election and said the movement she built would continue.
Shaw campaigned against California’s education establishment, opposing transgender girls’ participation in girls’ sports and supporting a return of the SAT requirement for UC admissions. She has also opposed state rules that prevent districts from requiring parents to be notified when a student identifies as transgender. Her campaign argued that children deserve better outcomes and parents deserve to be heard.
Barrera, backed by the state Democratic Party and the California Teachers Association, campaigned for increased school funding and California’s protections for transgender students. The teachers union spent millions supporting him and opposing Shaw. Barrera opposes restoring the SAT requirement and supports a tax measure that would make higher income-tax rates for top earners permanent to fund schools.
The superintendent’s office is also losing authority. A law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom transfers management of the state Education Department to a commissioner appointed by incoming Gov. Xavier Becerra, starting in 2027. Shaw has called the change an unconstitutional power grab and plans to challenge it in court, though analysts consider a court victory improbable.
Barrera says he will press Becerra on education budget priorities. The superintendent will retain roles on state education boards, while the new superintendent and commissioner are expected to negotiate a job description during the first six months of 2027.
Reported by New York Post, Los Angeles Times.
