Chino Valley School Board President Sonja Shaw has conceded defeat in the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. As of Thursday morning, tallies showed San Diego Unified School Board President Richard Barrera winning with 57.4% of the vote.
“Last night, voters made their choice,” Shaw said in a social media post. “I would be lying if I said my heart wasn’t heavy. As a mother and protector of children, I feel deeply saddened for the kids. They are the ones who deserve so much better.”
Shaw was elected to the Chino Valley Unified School Board in 2022 amid a conservative backlash toward pandemic-era school closures. She quickly rose to prominence in conservative circles, becoming a leading figure in the culture wars that have defined public education debates in recent years. She drew national attention for her opposition to transgender protections in schools and support for parental rights to notification of a student’s gender identification. She voted to limit flag displays in classrooms and supported banning certain books from school libraries…