Superintendent of Public Instruction Arizona in Statewide, Arizona

2026 Primary Election

• Tom Horne — Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction in AZ

  Tom Horne is the incumbent Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, having been narrowly elected in 2022. He previously served in the role from 2003 to 2011, followed by a term as Attorney General, and returned to the Superintendent's office to address a perceived decline in school quality. Horne's platform emphasizes refocusing on academics and expanding vocational education to ensure students are college or career-ready. He is a staunch opponent of critical race theory, having successfully campaigned against it in 2008 and is now fighting its resurgence. Horne is also noted for his crackdown on school choice and voucher programs, facing a Republican primary challenge in 2026.

• Kimberly Yee — Incumbent Arizona State Treasurer in Phoenix, AZ

  Kimberly Yee, the incumbent Arizona State Treasurer, is seeking the Republican nomination for Superintendent of Public Instruction in the 2026 primary election. Term-limited from running for Treasurer again, Yee announced her candidacy on May 28. She is challenging incumbent Tom Horne, criticizing his department's school voucher program as "complete chaos" and "executive overreach full of bureaucratic red tape." Yee advocates for partnering with parents to protect educational opportunities, strengthening school choice, and restoring competence to the Department of Education. She emphasizes her pro-school choice and pro-academic achievement stance, and denies claims of backing DEI. Yee made history as the first Asian American woman elected to Arizona's state legislature (2010-2018) and the first Asian American elected to statewide office (Treasurer since 2018).

• Michael Butts — School Board Member and Educator in Phoenix, AZ

  Dr. Michael D. Butts is an educator, school board member, and community leader running for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he began his career as a police officer before moving to Arizona in 2016. He taught high school seniors and now serves on the Roosevelt School District Governing Board. Dr. Butts is also involved with the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented Children and the Arizona Alliance of Black School Educators. Holding certifications as a school superintendent and principal, he believes education is a right that must be funded, aiming to be a real champion for Arizona’s public schools.

• Brett Newby — Professor and practicing behavior analyst in AZ

  Brett Newby is an educator, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and coach running for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2026. With a Master’s in Special Education, he brings over 20 years of experience, focusing on special needs children, empowering educators, and strengthening public schools. The son of blue-collar, union parents, Newby’s campaign priorities include stopping ESA expansion, fully funding K-12 education, restoring full-day kindergarten, reducing classroom sizes, and ensuring school safety. He aims to ensure every Arizona child has access to a high-quality education, regardless of their zip code.

• Teresa Ruiz — Educator in Scottsdale, AZ

  Teresa Leyba Ruiz, known as Dr. Ruiz, is a third-generation Arizonan, mother, and experienced educator with 35 years in Arizona's public schools. A proud product of South Phoenix public schools, she holds a Doctor of Education from ASU and served as President of Glendale Community College, in addition to being a math teacher and administrator. She is running for Superintendent of Public Instruction to bring an educator's perspective and responsible leadership to the role, aiming to ensure students, educators, and families have a trustworthy Superintendent. Her campaign emphasizes a "teacher's voice" and a "leader's vision" for public education.