Sonja Shaw

Sonja Shaw is running for election for California Superintendent of Public Instruction. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. She advanced from the primary on June 2, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Sonja Shaw never planned to run for office. A Chino native who overcame a challenging childhood, she was content as a soccer mom, cheering on her two daughters from the sideline. But when California sidelined parents during debates over closures and mandates, she could no longer just stay a spectator. Sonja's resilience and faith drove her to fight for our families.

Starting out by attending local school board meetings to advocate for her daughters, Sonja's fight for our children grew into a movement. Elected Chino Valley Unified School Board President in 2022, she championed parental rights, winning landmark battles against Sacramento's extreme policies, including a lawsuit from Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Backed by countless parents, she proved families, not politicians, should steer education. Now running for California State Superintendent in 2026, Sonja aims to fix a system where only 46.7% of students read at grade level, transforming schools into launchpads for dreams. A wife and mom guided by faith, she's committed to fighting for every child's future.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Fix Our Schools

California's education system is failing. Half of our students can't read or write at grade level, a crisis that threatens their futures. Radical ideologies distract from learning, while teacher shortages strain classrooms. Schools must refocus on essentials: reading, writing, and math. Families deserve better than a system that leaves kids behind.

A back-to-basics approach, proven effective in local districts, can transform our schools. Recruiting and retaining top educators, coupled with a curriculum centered on practical skills, will prepare students for success. California's schools can lead the nation again, but only with bold reforms that put children's needs first and restore trust in education.Protect Our Daughters

Policies allowing boys to undress in girls' locker rooms and play on their sports teams undermine fairness and safety. Our daughters deserve to compete on equal terms, not lose opportunities to biological males. They should feel secure in private spaces, not exposed by decisions made without parental consent. Sacramento's disregard for families fuels this injustice, prioritizing ideology over common sense.

Classrooms are becoming battlegrounds for radical agendas, pushing divisive content that overshadows core education. Proven leadership has already restored balance in local districts. California's schools need this approach statewide to safeguard girls' opportunities.Put Families First

Pandemic policies exposed a painful truth: Sacramento placed politics over families. Prolonged school closures disrupted learning and burdened families. Mask and vaccine mandates ignored families' well-being, silencing parents' voices. These heavy-handed measures set kids back years, with lasting impacts on their education and mental health.

Parents must have a say. The kind of leadership that challenged these mandates locally will work to deliver change at the state level, ensuring families' needs are put over political agendas. California's education system should empower families, prioritize student success, and rebuild trust by putting our kids at the center of every decision.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

K-12 Education, as well as Career and Technical Education. We must ensure our kids are given the tools they need to succeed, starting with a great education, and leading into a pathway forward - whether that be in one of our great junior colleges, a 4-year university, or a career / vocational pathway.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

California Republican Party

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association PAC

California Women's Leadership Association PAC

Moms For Liberty California

Reform California

American Independent Party of California

Riley Gaines

Steve Hilton

Sheriff Chad Bianco

75+ Local School Board Members

Dozens of legislators and local elected officials