Sonja Shaw

Does not believe California needs to spend more money on education; argues the state should instead do a better job directing existing resources to classrooms and provide tools to districts so they need not pull from their general funds - contrasting with opponent Barrera's call for increased school funding.

“I believe that the state should be providing tools to districts instead of us having to pull out of our general fund to do things that are best for kids.”

edsource.org·As of June 2026

Core education platform ('Fix Our Schools'): refocus California schools on reading, writing and math essentials, citing that roughly half of students cannot read/write at grade level (site cites 46.7% at grade level in reading); recruit and retain educators; shift away from 'radical ideologies'/divisive curriculum content (she calls ethnic studies divisive) toward basics and civics.

“Schools must refocus on essentials: reading, writing, and math. Families deserve better than a system that leaves kids behind. A back-to-basics approach, proven effective in local districts, can transform our schools. Recruiting and retaining top educators, coupled with a curriculum centered on practical skills, will prepare students for success.”

shawforca.com·As of August 2026

Central campaign theme ('Protect Our Daughters'): opposes California policies that allow transgender students to compete in girls' sports and use girls' locker rooms, arguing they undermine fairness, safety and parental consent; pledges to continue advocating for policies barring transgender athletes from girls' sports statewide.

“Policies allowing boys to undress in girls' locker rooms and play on their sports teams undermine fairness and safety. Our daughters deserve to compete on equal terms, not lose opportunities to biological males.”

shawforca.com·As of August 2026

Third platform pillar 'Put Families First': blames prolonged COVID school closures and mask/vaccine mandates for learning loss and ignored families' well-being; says the leadership that challenged these mandates locally should deliver change statewide so parents' voices are not silenced.

“Mask and vaccine mandates ignored families' well-being, silencing parents' voices. These heavy-handed measures set kids back years, with lasting impacts on their education and mental health.”

shawforca.com·As of August 2026

Campaigns on parental rights: championed Chino Valley Unified's parental-notification policy (litigated by Attorney General Rob Bonta), opposes Sacramento policies that 'silence parents' (pandemic closures/mandates), and pledges increased parental involvement in schools and notification of parents about a student's sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Starting out by attending local school board meetings to advocate for her daughters, Sonja's fight for our children grew into a movement. Elected Chino Valley Unified School Board President in 2022, she championed parental rights, winning landmark battles against Sacramento's extreme policies, including a lawsuit from Attorney General Rob Bonta.”

shawforca.com·As of June 2026