As the 2026 elections approach, CSBA will focus the attention of those vying to be the next Governor and the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) on the issues that matter most to school governance teams.
These landmark panels will give local school district and county office of education board members, superintendents and education leaders from every corner of the state the chance to hear each candidate’s vision for the future of public education and assess how the 2026 elections will affect the work of governing boards and the students they serve.
“School district and county boards are an essential part of American democracy. They are a bulwark of stability for our public schools, and they establish the vision and conditions required for student achievement,” said CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy. “It’s critical that our elected officials understand the needs of school governance teams and can articulate a plan to better support them as they strive to close achievement gaps and provide a high-quality education for all students. Our gubernatorial and SSPI panels are designed to facilitate those conversations. It’s bigger than politics; it’s a discussion about the future of California’s schools and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
All major candidates for each position have been invited. The following have been confirmed as of this writing.
Gubernatorial Candidate Forum panelists: Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff; Ian Calderon, former assemblymember; Tony Thurmond, SSPI; Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor, Los Angeles; and Betty Yee, former state controller.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidate Forum panelists*: Richard Barrera, trustee, San Diego Unified School District; Nichelle Henderson, trustee; Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD); Andra Hoffman, trustee, LACCD; Al Muratsuchi, assemblymember, California State Assembly; Josh Newman, former senator, California State Senate; Anthony Rendon, former speaker, California State Assembly; and Sonja Shaw, trustee, Chino Valley USD.
California’s schools face urgent challenges, from closing persistent achievement gaps, stabilizing school funding and addressing housing shortages for the education workforce, to meeting climate mandates, ensuring student well-being and responsibly integrating new technologies. The leaders who will guide the state through these challenges will be chosen in the 2026 election. CSBA’s gubernatorial and SSPI forums offer a unique opportunity to evaluate the priorities and proposals of the individuals who may soon be making critical decisions that impact districts, county offices, students, staff and communities. Learn more about AEC at aec.csba.org.