Gavin Newsom passes biggest power grab in California history over State Superintendent role
Republican candidate for California State Superintendent Sonja Shaw has accused Gavin Newsom of orchestrating a sweeping power grab and leaving the office she wants to run powerless.“Newsom couldn’t win at the ballot box, so he changed the rules.He just rammed through one of the biggest power grabs in California history,” Shaw told the California Post.
“This isn’t education reform.California’s children deserve leaders who answer to the voters.”She led the June primary with 1,737,377 votes (22.6%), finishing ahead of Richard Barrera, who received 1,557,939 votes (20.3%), according to the Associated Press.
The two will advance to a runoff election in November after no candidate secured a majority in the crowded field.Shaw was referring to Assembly Bill 181 (AB 181), an education budget trailer bill signed by Newsom last week.The measure was fast-tracked alongside California’s 2026-27 state budget, allowing it to move through the Legislature as part of the budget process rather than the traditional committee hearing process used for most standalone bills.The legislation has drawn criticism from opponents who argue it fundamentally restructures California’s education system by transferring powers previously exercised by the independently elected Superintendent of Public Instruction to a governor-appointed official.“Newsom slipped this into the budget process and rushed it through Sacramento before the public could fully scrutinize it.
That should alarm every Californian, regardless of political party,” Shaw told the Post.“We will remember those that voted against protecting our children once again.”AB 181 removes much of the Superintendent’s executive authority over California’s public education system.Previously, the Superintendent oversaw the California Department of Education, managing thousands of employees while administering state grants, contracts and education programs.
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