Full Breakdown
Sonja Shaw Calls Out Los Angeles Teachers Union Ahead of Superintendent Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Challenge and Union Reaction
Conservative school-board president Sonja Shaw announced she will confront the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union in the upcoming California superintendent of public instruction election. Shaw said the union views her as a “real threat” to its agenda and warned that her election would create “a huge problem” for UTLA. “I’m not surprised the Los Angeles teachers union sees me as a threat,” — Sonja Shaw UTLA’s American Federation of Teachers (AFT) vice president Julie Van Winkle was recorded describing Shaw in those terms and warning of efforts to block a “MAGA lady” from leading public education.
Context: LAUSD Performance and Political Funding
Shaw cited Los Angeles Unified School District’s recent state-assessment results, noting that in 2025 only 46.46 % of students met or exceeded English-language-arts standards and 36.76 % met or exceeded mathematics standards. Consequently, roughly 53.5 % failed the ELA benchmark and 63.2 % failed the math benchmark. She argued the union protects the status quo rather than improving outcomes.
The teachers’ union has endorsed Shaw’s opponent, Richard Barrera, board president of San Diego Unified. The California Teachers Association Independent Expenditure Committee has spent over $5 million supporting Barrera, while Shaw’s campaign has reported only modest outside spending.
Official Statements & Responses
Los Angeles County Republican Party Chair Roxanne Hoge linked the controversy to Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent reduction of the superintendent’s authority, suggesting Shaw’s candidacy “caused good trouble.”
What’s Next
The superintendent race remains active, with both candidates campaigning statewide. UTLA’s public endorsement of Barrera and its continued fundraising efforts are expected to shape the final weeks of the contest.
