VOTE411 Voter Guide

★★★ IMPORTANT ★★★EXPAND this compressed “About This Race” window (by clicking "Read More") for valuable information — including info about candidate forums! Don't miss it!.After reading the expanded “About This Race” content:Beneath the large "Meet the candidates" text below, click inside the small “View Answers” or “Compare Answers” boxes of each candidate you want to view.Then SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN, past ALL 10 candidate icons, to read the responses.Profiles under “Meet the candidates” are presented in the same order as on the ballot. For alphabetical lists of each party's candidates, see the “Paid Statements of Qualifications” section..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………★ BASIC DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ★.The Superintendent of Public Instruction is the state's chief of public schools:Provides education policy direction to local school districts, and works with the education community to improve academic performance.Heads the Department of Education and carries out policies set by the State Board of Education.Serves as an ex-officio member of governing boards of the state’s higher education system..Term: 4 years (renewable once, if voters re-elect).Base Salary: $213,617 as of Dec. 1, 2025. (Source)Incumbent: Tony Thurmond, Democratic Party. Now in his 2nd term and ineligible for re-election..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………★ ABOUT THIS CONTEST ★.The two candidates with the most votes in the June primary election will run against each other in November. These two candidates could be from the same political party..There are 10 candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction on the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates, and thus on the primary election ballot. .Additional candidates for this office might appear on the Secretary of State's Certified List of Write-In Candidates, which will be released May 22, 2026..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………★ CANDIDATE FORUMS ★.April 16, 2026, 3:30–6pm — Alliance for Candidate Engagement in Education (with assistance from the League of Women Voters of San Diego) — In-person event at San Diego City College (1313 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101). Free tickets can be reserved via Eventbrite here.April 21, 2026, 7–8pm — EdSource — Candidates Josh Newman, Sonja Shaw, and Richard Barrera. Click to register for livestream and/or recording.April 21, 2026, 7–8pm — EdSource — Candidates Al Muratsuchi, Nichelle Henderson, and Anthony Rendon. Click to register for livestream and/or recording..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………★ PAID STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS ★.All candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction who accepted a campaign spending limit of $7,844,000 were eligible to purchase space for a 250-word statement in the state Voter Information Guide, at $25 per word. X of the ten candidates accepted the spending limit and submitted statements..FOR THIS NON-PARTISAN POSITION, CANDIDATES’ PARTIES ARE NOT INCLUDED ON THE BALLOT..Richard Barrera (1st statement on linked page)Wendy Castaneda Leal (did not accept spending limit)Nichelle M. Henderson (accepted spending limit but did not submit a statement)Frank Lara (1st statement on linked page)Ainye Long (2nd statement on linked page)Gus Mattammal (1st statement on linked page)Al Muratsuchi (2nd statement on linked page)Josh Newman (1st statement on linked page)Anthony Rendon (2nd statement on linked page)Sonja Shaw (2nd statement on linked page).………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………★ CAMPAIGN FINANCE DATA ★.With some exceptions, the deadline to report campaign contributions and expenditures for the period January 1–April 18 is April 23. This means that as of March 28, 2026, most reported campaign finance activities took place in 2025..Fundraising Totals: STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION(Source, as of March 28, 2026).(1482653) Anthony Rendon for Superintendent of Public Instruction 2026 has raised $396,652.30 in 101 contributions(1478738) Al Muratsuchi for Superintendent of Public Instruction 2026 has raised $291,732.02 in 235 contributions(1479719) Shaw for Superintendent of Public Instruction 2026 has raised $265,437.04 in 375 contributions(1480296) Josh Newman for Supt. of Public Instruction 2026 has raised $243,991.48 in 125 contributions(1478161) Richard Barrera for Superintendent of Public Instruction 2026 has raised $183,093.94 in 299 contributions(1482911) MATTAMMAL FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION 2026; GUS has raised $79,953.82 in 34 contributions(1468266) HENDERSON 4 SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION 2026 has raised $69,199.12 in 251 contributions(1481348) LARA FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION 2026; FRANK has raised $26,460.87 in 87 contributions.The following 2 candidates had not reported any campaign contribution data as of March 28, 2026: Castaneda Leal, Long..Additional campaign finance resources:.For the top ten contributors (above a certain threshold) to campaigns for State elected offices, visit fppc.ca.gov/search-filings/top-10-contributors-list/june-2026-primary-election. (No relevant data posted as of March 28, 2026.).For details of all contributors to candidates for State elected offices, visit powersearch.sos.ca.gov/advanced.php..For details of independent expenditures by groups in support of (or in opposition to) candidates for State elected offices, visit powersearch.sos.ca.gov..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….TO VIEW INFORMATION SHARED BY THE CANDIDATES (more coming soon, so check back!):.Beneath the large "Meet the candidates" text below, click inside the small “View Answers” or “Compare Answers” boxes of each candidate you want to viewThen SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN, past ALL 10 candidate icons, to read the responses..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….