California superintendent candidate calls out teachers union, says she’s a ‘real threat’ to ‘socialist agenda’
California superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw says she will continue challenging the United Teachers Los Angeles union after a video circulated in which a woman described her as a “real threat” and said her election would cause problems for the organisation. Shaw, who chairs the Chino Valley Unified School District board, argues that the union protects the education system rather than improving pupils’ academic results.
California Department of Education figures show that in 2025, 46.46% of Los Angeles Unified pupils met or exceeded the state standard in English, and 36.76% did so in maths. The California Post identified the woman in the video as UTLA vice-president Julie Van Winkle; UTLA has endorsed Shaw’s opponent, Richard Barrera. State data compiled by CalMatters showed the California Teachers Association’s independent expenditure committee had spent about $5.06 million supporting Barrera by 15 September, compared with $10,000 in reported outside spending for Shaw.
- Shaw says she will keep confronting the teachers union.
- Video captures a union figure calling her a “real threat”.
- Teachers’ association spending heavily supports her opponent.