Sonja Shaw, a conservative candidate for California superintendent, recently stated that she is determined to challenge the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union. Her resolve comes after a video emerged, allegedly showing a union leader referring to Shaw as a “real threat” and suggesting that her election could create significant issues for them.
As the president of the Chino Valley Unified School District board, Shaw criticized UTLA for prioritizing the union’s interests over student achievement. “It’s not surprising that the Los Angeles teachers union views me as a threat,” she remarked. “More than half of their students still can’t read at grade level, and nearly two-thirds are struggling with math. Instead of focusing on these children, the UTLA seems more interested in keeping parents uninformed, justifying their failures, and safeguarding the system that led to these outcomes.”
Shaw highlighted that, according to recent testing data, only about 46% of LAUSD students met the state standard in English language arts, while roughly 37% met it in mathematics. This clearly indicates, she asserts, the union’s shortcomings in addressing student educational needs.
Despite the backlash described in the video, which she relates to her candidacy, Shaw remains undeterred. “If putting families and children’s needs first is seen as a ‘huge problem’ for their agenda, then that really says it all,” she added. “I won’t back down. They’ve admitted it: I’m a ‘real threat’ to their socialist agenda. For me, it’s about prioritizing parents over politics, children over ideologies, and ensuring fair play in sports. Keep calling me a threat; I’ll just keep being one.”
An audio clip shared by Corey DeAngelis, a research fellow, featured a woman indicating concerns about Shaw’s potential impact on public education if elected. The speaker, identified as UTLA Vice President Julie Van Winkle, expressed that Shaw’s rise to office could significantly complicate their efforts.
DeAngelis interpreted the comments as a sign that Shaw poses a challenge to the political power held by teachers’ unions. “This leaked audio is the best endorsement Sonja Shaw could ever have received. When a powerful teachers union sees you as a threat to their agenda, it’s clear you’re hitting the right notes,” he remarked.
Shaw’s opponent, Richard Barrera, the current president of the San Diego Unified School District Board, has received support from UTLA, including significant financial backing. The union believes Barrera has a strong commitment to collaboration with educators and families in funding education.
Recent campaign financing reports indicated that the California Teachers Association Independent Expenditure Committee had spent over $5 million supporting Barrera, in stark contrast to the mere $10,000 reported in outside support for Shaw. Furthermore, local Republican leaders highlighted Shaw’s pursuit for the role even after recent changes from Governor Gavin Newsom diminished the authority of the superintendent position.
Fox News Digital had reached out for comments from both UTLA and Newsom’s office regarding this ongoing situation.
