Sonja Shaw seeks California schools chief seat Nov. 3

Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District board, is running for California Superintendent of Public Instruction in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The race is a statewide nonpartisan contest.

Shaw faces one opponent, Richard Andrew Barrera (Nonpartisan), according to BallotReady election data. Shaw has been certified for the ballot.

Candidate information

Hometown: Chino, California
Education: Graduated from Ayala High School in Chino. Did not attend college.
Professional background: Owner of AMP Fitness since 2014; owner of a professional photography business; previously held a California Real Estate License
Community: Leads a community-based Bible study

Experience and public service

Shaw has served as board president of the Chino Valley Unified School District since 2022, according to her district biography. She has also served since 2022 as a representative on the Baldy View Regional Occupational Program Commission, an appointed role.

On the issues

Shaw's policy positions below are drawn from her campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire responses. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.

Literacy and academic standards

Shaw said California's education system is failing and that half of students cannot read or write at grade level. She called for a "back-to-basics" approach focused on reading, writing and math, and said recruiting and retaining top educators is essential. Shaw said this approach has been "proven effective in local districts" and can prepare students for success.

School closures and mandates

Shaw said prolonged school closures disrupted learning and burdened families. She said mask and vaccine mandates ignored families' well-being and silenced parents' voices. Shaw said the kind of leadership that challenged these mandates locally would deliver change at the state level.

Parental rights and curriculum

Shaw said policies allowing biological males to use girls' locker rooms and play on girls' sports teams undermine fairness and safety. She said classrooms are "becoming battlegrounds for radical agendas, pushing divisive content that overshadows core education." Shaw said she would prioritize parental rights and ensure education focuses on learning.