Online, public, nonpartisan Forum is sponsored by the Contemporary Policy Institute and co-hosted by the American Association of University Women of CA

The State of California spends more than a third of its estimated $248.3 billion General Fund Budget on K-12 education. The state Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is an important, high-profile elected position responsible for leading the California Department of Education (CDE) and overseeing public education for more than 6 million K-12 students.

Pre-registration is required at https://www.mobilize.us/cpihub/event/924105/.

In the upcoming June Primary Election, Californians will be voting for a new superintendent. The top two vote-getters will advance to the General Election in November. While there are plans to restructure the duties of this position, the election is moving forward.

To help voters with this critical decision, CPI and co-host AAUW California are presenting a free, open-to-the-public online candidate forum. All of the declared candidates have been invited to share their views on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9 to 10:30am. Seven of the 10 candidates are confirmed to participate: Richard Barrera, Nichelle M. Henderson, Frank Lara, Wendy Leal, Gus Mattammal, Al Muratsuchi and Anthony Rendon. Candidates Sonja Shaw and Josh Newman could not attend the forum.

“Educating our young people is the most important thing the State of California does,” says Forum Moderator Andy Thorburn, CPI President. “I want to thank AAUW California for co-hosting this forum and for their ongoing dedication to getting voters as much information as possible.”

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About CPI https://www.contemporarypolicyinstitute.org/

For decades, CPI Founder Andy Thorburn was in the business of selling insurance outside the United States. As the business became successful, leadership decided to give back to the communities served. A private foundation was started, and when the business was eventually sold, the new owner opted out of the nonprofit sector, but Andy didn’t. He spun off CPI and began focusing on U.S. issues. Its guiding principle is expressed by the motto, “Fact-driven. Issue-based.”

About AAUW California https://www.aauw-ca.org/

AAUW California facilitates California branches in meeting the vision and mission of AAUW by providing programs, education, and resources to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.