California Superintendent Election Will Proceed In November
Voters will decide the state's education leader, though the role's power will soon shift to an appointed director.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Administration
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In the November 2026 election, Californians will choose a new superintendent of public instruction for a nonpartisan position. The role is undergoing a significant transition after legislation signed in July 2026 reduced the position to an oversight function.
Why it matters
This election represents the final vote for an independent superintendent before the Department of Education transitions to governor-appointed leadership in January 2027. The outcome will influence the oversight of state educational priorities during this transitional period.
Richard Barrera of San Diego Unified reported over $600,000 in contributions, while Sonja Shaw of Chino Valley Unified reported over $500,000. These figures reflect the campaign spending heading into the November 2026 election.
The players
Richard Barrera
The president of the San Diego Unified school board who is campaigning for increased teacher wages and spending oversight.
Sonja Shaw
The president of the Chino Valley Unified school board who advocates for parental involvement policies and restrictions on transgender athletes.
Gavin Newsom
The Governor of California who signed legislation in July 2026 to restructure the Department of Education leadership.
The details
The candidates represent divergent platforms, with Barrera focused on teacher wages and spending transparency, and Shaw advocating for centralized parental influence and bans on transgender athletes in girls sports. Academic data from the 2024-25 school year shows San Diego Unified students at 56% English and 45% math proficiency, while Chino Valley Unified reached 62% in English and 49.8% in math. By January 2027, the department will shift control to a director appointed by the governor.
Timeline
July 2026: Legislation reduced the superintendent's power.
2024-25 school year: Academic proficiency data was recorded.
November 2026: The election for superintendent will occur.
January 2027: Department control shifts to an appointed director.
The Home Front
The transition to an appointed director follows the 2026 state legislation that effectively ends the era of a direct, independently elected superintendent in California. This shift reflects a broader trend toward centralizing educational administration under gubernatorial control.
Parents and homeowners should review their local school board performance metrics, as these figures often inform broader state-level policy debates. Keep in mind that the influence of the superintendent position is currently evolving ahead of the January 2027 leadership change.
The takeaway
This election is a pivotal moment for state-level school oversight before the role transitions to an appointed director. Voters should track the final results in November to understand how the new superintendent will manage the office during the final months before the department restructure.
Further reading
For more on the state's governance changes, visit California Administration.
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Do you trust local school board presidents to effectively lead your state's education system?
