Campaign Spending Intensified in State School Race
As Sonja Shaw challenges for state superintendent, teachers union spending on Richard Barrera has reached over $5 million.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Should teachers unions play a central role in shaping public education policy?
The race for California superintendent of public instruction has drawn heavy financial backing, with the California Teachers Association Independent Expenditure Committee reporting over $5 million in support for Richard Barrera. Chino Valley Unified school board president Sonja Shaw, who is also campaigning for the role, has received $10,000 from outside groups.
Why it matters
The tension between candidates reflects a fundamental disagreement over union influence and policy priorities in California schools. Voters are weighing these platforms against recent district-wide student achievement outcomes, including 2025 testing data.
As of September 15, 2026, outside groups invested over $5 million in support of Richard Barrera, while Sonja Shaw recorded $10,000 in support. These figures arrive against a backdrop of 2025 testing where 46.46% of LAUSD students met English language arts standards.
The players
Sonja Shaw
The president of the Chino Valley Unified School District board who is currently campaigning for the position of California superintendent of public instruction.
Richard Barrera
A candidate for state superintendent who has received significant financial backing from the California Teachers Association.
Julie Van Winkle
The United Teachers Los Angeles vice president who has publicly expressed concern regarding the candidacy of Sonja Shaw.
California Teachers Association
A statewide organization representing educators that is actively funding political campaigns to influence education policy.
The details
The campaign divide centers on Sonja Shaw's public criticism of teacher unions regarding student achievement, which she contrasts with the current academic performance levels in districts like Los Angeles. In response, union leaders have characterized her candidacy as a threat to their established policy agenda. Richard Barrera has secured the support of teachers unions, which prioritize candidates committed to collaborative work with educators and families.
Timeline
2025 was the period during which the California Department of Education collected student testing data.
September 15, 2026, marked the date when campaign expenditure totals were officially reported.
September 29, 2026, was the date Sonja Shaw spoke to Fox News Digital regarding the race.
The Home Front
The current campaign discourse follows the established pattern of using statewide testing outcomes to challenge or defend existing educational governance. This shift highlights how local board priorities are increasingly linked to broader state-level policy and funding debates.
Families can review their own school district's most recent academic performance reports via the California Department of Education portal. It is also a good time to check your voter registration status ahead of upcoming elections to ensure your voice is heard in local and state races.
The takeaway
The election reflects a high-stakes disagreement over how educational policy affects student achievement in the state. Families can track upcoming candidate debates and compare school performance metrics to make informed decisions for their students.
Further reading
For more on the current state of classroom policy and oversight, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox News.
Live Poll
Should teachers unions play a central role in shaping public education policy?
