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Sonja Shaw, Candidate for California Superintendent 2026

Meet Sonja Shaw

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.

Sonja Shaw with her husband Chris and their daughters

Locally Grown

Sonja and her husband, Chris, believe in the California dream. Rooted in their community, they chose to raise their two daughters in our public schools.

Public school was not a fallback. It was where their girls would learn, compete, and grow up with the neighbors they see every week. When those schools stopped putting students first, the fight became personal.

Sonja did not send someone else to the board meeting. She went, then she ran, then she led. The standard she wanted for her own daughters is the standard she will take to every California school.

CVUSD President Sonja Shaw Photo

A Proven Track Record

With Sonja Shaw as board president, Chino Valley Unified beat the odds. A large, diverse district in San Bernardino County now ranks #21 in California by Money Inc.

Stanford-led research identified Chino Valley as a model for post-COVID academic recovery. By 2024, students there were about a third of a grade level ahead of 2019 in reading and nearly half a grade level ahead in math, while much of the state was still catching up.

That did not happen by accident. It took a plan: get students back in class, put reading, writing, and math first, and hold the system to results instead of political theater.

The blueprint is already written. As Superintendent, Sonja will take what worked in Chino Valley and put it to work for every California school.

Issues

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, prioritize parental rights, and ensure education focuses on learning, not politics.

Protecting Our Daughters in California Schools

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 education reforms that put children's needs first and restore trust in education.

Fixing California Schools for Better Education

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.

Putting California Families First in Education

Endorsements

Elected officials, leading voices, parents, and organizations across California are backing Sonja.

Organizations 29

Groups and statewide parties

American Independent Party of California
California College Republicans
California Congress of Republicans
California Hispanic Republican Club
California Republican Assembly
California Republican Party
California Rifle & Pistol Association PAC
California Women's Leadership Association PAC
California Young Republicans
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association PAC
Interfaith Statewide Coalition
Lincoln Club of Orange County
Lincoln Club of Riverside County
Los Angeles County Lincoln Clubs
Moms for Liberty California
Reform California
San Bernardino Police Officers Association
Sheriff Employees Benefit Association

Newspapers

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Long Beach Press-Telegram
Los Angeles Daily News
Orange County Register
Pasadena Star News
Redlands Daily Facts
Riverside Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino Sun
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
The Daily Breeze
Whittier Daily News
Elected Officials 65
Elizabeth Wong AhlersFormer Crescenta Valley City Councilmember
Juan AlanisCalifornia State Assemblyman
Michael AllawosMayor Pro Tem, City of Glendora
Kevin BashNorco City Councilmember
Dr. Stefan BeanOrange County Superintendent of Schools
Art BennettMayor, City of Chino Hills
Dr. Ryan BentNorth Orange County Community College District Trustee
Chad BiancoSheriff of Riverside County
Candidate for Governor of California
Jim BrulteFormer California Senate Republican Leader
Former California Republican Party Chairman
Curtis BurtonMayor Pro Tem, City of Chino
Stacy CallRiverbank City Councilmember
Ken CalvertUnited States Representative
Leticia CastilloCalifornia State Assemblywoman
Phillip ChenCalifornia State Assemblyman
Casey ClarkWatsonville City Councilmember
Margaret ClarkRosemead City Councilmember
Chuck ConderRiverside City Councilmember
Laurie DaviesCalifornia State Assemblywoman
Carl DeMaioCalifornia State Assemblyman
Diane DixonCalifornia State Assemblywoman
Former Mayor, City of Newport Beach
Stan EllisCalifornia State Assemblyman
Bill EssayliFormer California State Assemblyman
Ricky EstradaMayor, City of Menifee
Heath FloraCalifornia State Assembly Republican Leader
John FranklinMayor, City of Vista
James GallagherCalifornia State Assemblyman
Former Assembly Republican Leader
Michael GatesFormer Huntington Beach City Attorney
Candidate for California Attorney General
Jeff GonzalezCalifornia State Assemblyman
Shannon GroveCalifornia State Senator
Heather HadwickCalifornia State Assemblywoman
Darin HaleAnderson City Councilmember
Josh HooverCalifornia State Assemblyman
Natasha JohnsonCalifornia State Assemblywoman
Former Mayor, City of Lake Elsinore
Brian JonesCalifornia State Senate Republican Leader
Don KennedyHuntington Beach City Councilmember
Steve KnoblockMayor Pro Tem, City of San Clemente
Tom LackeyCalifornia State Assemblyman
Shanti LandonPlacer County Supervisor
Jeff LeikaufEl Dorado County Sheriff
Marc LucioChino City Councilmember
Alexandra MacedoCalifornia State Assemblywoman
Gracey Van Der MarkCouncilmember and Former Mayor, City of Huntington Beach
Candidate, Assembly District 72
Casey McKeonMayor Pro Tem, City of Huntington Beach
Kevin McNameeFormer Mayor, City of Thousand Oaks
Melissa MelendezFormer California State Senator
Crystal MilesCouncilmember and Former Mayor, City of Villa Park
Fred MinegarFormer Mayor, City of Laguna Niguel
John MoorlachFormer California State Senator
Mike MorrellFormer California State Senator
Roger NielloCalifornia State Senator
Joe PattersonCalifornia State Assemblyman
Former Mayor, City of Rocklin
Joe PiechowskiVentura County Community College District Trustee
Sarah Ramos-EvingerPresident, Chino Valley Fire Board
Kate SanchezCalifornia State Assemblywoman
Kelly SeyartoCalifornia State Senator
Rhonda ShaderFormer Mayor, City of Placentia
Tony StricklandCalifornia State Senator
Former Mayor, City of Huntington Beach
Tri TaCalifornia State Assemblyman
Former Mayor, City of Westminster
David TangipaCalifornia State Assemblyman
Butch TwiningHuntington Beach City Councilmember
Suzette ValladaresCalifornia State Senator
Alex VillanuevaFormer Los Angeles County Sheriff
Dirk VossDesert Hot Springs City Councilmember
Don WagnerOrange County Supervisor
Former California State Assemblyman
Candidate for Secretary of State
Greg WallisCalifornia State Assemblyman
Leading Voices 20
Greg AbdouchPresident/Founder of NOOW
Candidate, Assembly District 45
Andee Aceves2008 California Teacher of the Year
Dan BallHost, Real America with Dan Ball
Elizabeth BarcohanaCalifornia Republican Party Jewish Engagement Chair
Phil CothranPresident, Fontana Chamber of Commerce
Chairman, San Bernardino County Republican Party
Corey A. DeAngelisNational Bestselling Author
School Choice Evangelist
Jessica EnosParental Rights Activist
Williamson M. EversFormer U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education
Former Trustee, Santa Clara County School Board
Riley GainesWomen's Sports Advocate
Host, Gaines for Girls
Cory GautereauxU.S. Army Veteran and Border Security Advocate
Steve HiltonFounder, Golden Together
Candidate for Governor of California
Timothy JohnsonHost, The Timmy Thom Show
Emily JonesFounder and CEO, Home Tribe
Homeschool and Alternative Education Advocate
Jennifer KennedyThe Freedom Lawyer
Civil Rights Attorney
David KopperudFormer Chairperson, California State School Attendance Review Board
Sophia LoreyWomen's Sports Advocate
Host, This is a Woman Podcast
Ryan PettyFlorida State Board of Education Member
Amy ReichertFounder, Restore San Diego
Seak SmithFounder of MomArmy and Warrior for Children
Jessica TapiaFormer Teacher and Parental Rights Advocate
School Board Members 87
Michael AllmanSan Dieguito Union High School District Board Member
Jamie AnayaPerris Union High School District Board Member
Tom BarcellosBoard President, Pleasant View Elementary School District
Dorian BakerFormer Trustee, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
Mari BarkeOrange County Board of Education Member
Paul BeltVisalia Unified School District Board Member
Leandra BladesPlacentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Board Member
Anna BrysonFormer President, Capistrano Unified School Board
Brian BurleyHuntington Beach City School District Board Member
Steve CamposPerris Elementary School District Board Member
Anthony CarnevaleCajon Valley Union School District Board Member
John CervantesChino Valley Unified School District Board Member
Lori CisnerosKern County Board of Education Member
Karen Clark-MejiaBoard President, Cajon Valley Union School District
Alma ClementsRed Bluff Union Elementary School District Board Member
Gary M. CliffordPresident, Glendora Unified School District
Marc CooperFranklin-McKinley School District Board Member
Derek CounterRocklin Unified School District Board Member
Andrew CruzChino Valley Unified School District Board Member
Lisa DavisCapistrano Unified School District Board Member
Kenneth EnneyPaso Robles Joint Unified School District Board Member
Jon FenskeDry Creek Joint Elementary School District Trustee
Rita Fernandez-LoofSan Bernardino County Board of Education Member
Lupe FloresMendota Unified School District Board Member
Maria FranzRoseville Joint Union High School District Board Member
Walta GamoianVisalia Unified School District Board Member
Authur GormanVice President, Shasta County Board of Education
Michael GreerDel Norte Unified School District Board Member
Nicole GribstadSan Jose Unified School District Board Member
Anna GrieseSaugus Union School District Board Member
Erin GroverEureka Union School District Board Member
Michele GuerraVacaville Unified School District Board Member
Chuck HallPerris Elementary School District Board Member
Julie HamillPalos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Board Member
Andrew HayesLakeside Union School District Board Member
Matt HeathPiner-Olivet Union School District Board Member
Danielle HolleyFontana Unified School District Board Member
April HuckabeyOrcutt Union School District Trustee
Richard Lucas IIIVentura County Board of Education Trustee
Nora JohnstonEvergreen Union School District Board Member
Edward Garcia Jr.Perris Union High School District Board Member
Ron KasperLakeside Union School District Board Member
Joseph KomroskyTemecula Valley Unified School District Board Member
Rebekah KoznekAtascadero Unified School District Board Member
Annette KunzeGalt Joint Union Elementary School District Board Member
Jackie LaBarberaAnderson Union High School District Board Member and Shasta County Office of Education Board Member
Becky LangenwalterVice President, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District
Brenda LebsackSanta Ana Unified School District Board Member
Manny LinHesperia Unified School District Board Member
Robin LittauEnterprise Elementary School District Board Member
Chris LoumakisFormer Trustee, North Orange County Community College District
Jessica D. MartinezAlta Loma School District Board Member
Tom McDougallMount Diablo Unified School District Board Member
Joe MessinaWilliam S. Hart Union High School District Board Member
Madison MinerFormer Orange Unified School District Board Member and Executive Director of Protect Our Kids
Jonathan MonroeChino Valley Unified School District Board Vice President
Heidi MooreElk Grove Unified School District Board Member
Crista MunnsCascade Union Elementary School District Board Member
James NaChino Valley Unified School District Board Member
Cynthia NavarroRomoland School District Board Member
Joshua R. NicholsonBishop Unified School District Board Member
Candy OlsonRedlands Unified School District Board Member
Mike PachecoLake Elsinore Unified School District Board Member
Jean PagnoneDry Creek Joint Elementary School District Trustee
Nick PardueMurrieta Valley Unified School District Board Member
Kenia PerazaSan Ysidro School District Board Member
Kenneth PradoHemet Unified School District Board Member
Marjorie ProffittWestern Placer Unified School District Board Member
John QuintanillaRosemead School District Board Member
Ron ResnickSimi Valley Unified School District Board Member
Teresa RobertsShasta County Board of Education Trustee
Tiffany SaathoffRocklin Unified School District Board Member
Clayton R. SchemperOakdale Joint Unified School District President
Tim ShawOrange County Board of Education Member
Jessica SpaidBoard President, Placer Union High School District
Lisa Sparks, Ph.D.Orange County Board of Education Member
Eric SwansonHesperia Unified School District Board Member
Derek TisingerKern High School District Board Member
Marisol Madrigal UribeMontebello Unified School District Board Member
Amanda VickersRiverside Unified School District Board Member
Matthew WardGalt Joint Union Elementary School District Trustee
Jayson WedgeAuburn Unified School District Trustee
Bob WellerEscondido Union High School District Board Member
Jen WiersmaTemecula Valley Unified School District Board Member
Jeanette WilsonRedlands Unified School District Board Member
Leanne WooleverLompoc Unified School District Board Member
Jonathan ZachresonRoseville City School District Board Member
Endorse Sonja

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Join Sonja’s movement to fix our schools and protect our children. Volunteer, host an event, or spread the word on social media.

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