The vibes are highkey tense in the race for California’s state superintendent of public instruction. A leaked recording has surfaced featuring Julie Van Winkle, a top official at the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), pushing members to vote for rival candidate Richard Barrera while throwing some serious shade at his opponent, Sonja Shaw.
In the audio, Van Winkle doesn't hold back, labeling Shaw a "MAGA lady" and warning that her potential win would cause a "huge problem" for the union. She frames the election as a way to "prevent this MAGA lady from being in charge of public education," while encouraging members to rally behind Barrera, the president of the San Diego Unified school board.
The stakes of the race
Shaw, who currently leads the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education, took the bait and is running with it. She sees the leaked audio as a major W, arguing that the union is finally admitting she’s a legitimate challenge to their status quo. "They just admitted it. I’m a ‘real threat’ to their failing agenda," Shaw told the California Post. She’s positioning herself as the candidate for parents who want more accountability, claiming the current system isn't putting students first.
This all comes as California is gearing up for a massive structural shift. Thanks to a new law backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the role of the state superintendent is set to change in January 2027. Instead of running day-to-day operations, the elected official will pivot to an independent advocacy and evaluation role, while an appointee handles the actual logistics of the state department.
Why it matters
This isn't just local drama; it’s a direct look at the power struggle between parental rights advocates and powerful teachers' unions in California. With the election coming up on Nov. 3, the heat is only going to turn up from here—no cap.
