Superintendent of Public Instruction
See who is running for Superintendent of Public Instruction, compare candidates, view campaign links, and find available public source information.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction leads the Arizona Department of Education, which oversees K-12 public education policy, standards, assessment, and funding for Arizona's public schools.
What does this office actually control?
The Superintendent of Public Instruction runs the Arizona Department of Education, which oversees K–12 public schools statewide.
- Implements the education laws and academic standards that govern public schools.
- Distributes state and federal funding to school districts and charter schools.
- Oversees school accountability, report cards, and teacher certification.
- Leads the staff and programs of the state education department.
What this office does NOT control
Day-to-day curriculum, hiring, and school operations are set by local school boards; universities are run separately by the Board of Regents.
Why this race matters
The Superintendent of Public Instruction leads the Arizona Department of Education and steers billions in K–12 funding, including the fast-growing Empowerment Scholarship Account (voucher) program. With debates over school funding, accountability, and parental choice intensifying, this office sets the direction for public education statewide.
Running
Candidates (2)
Quick Comparison
Full comparison| Field | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Democratic | Republican |
| Incumbent | No | No |
| Election Result | Party Nominee | Party Nominee |
| Website | Visit site | Visit site |
| Data | 45% complete | 50% complete |
Coverage
Debates & Candidate Forums
Debates and candidate forums are added as they are broadcast. Additional coverage will appear here as the 2026 election season progresses.
Debate Breakdown by Topic
Math Teacher & Former Community College President
"I'm a mom, a math teacher, and proud to be the only educator in this race. For decades, career politicians like my opponent have underfunded our schools and attacked our teachers — our schools, students, and parents deserve better."
Arizona State Treasurer
"As a mom, I know Arizona children deserve a world-class education no matter where they go to school. I've spent 30 years on K-12 policy, and as treasurer I've earned and distributed a historic $3.2 billion for public schools."
Answers are condensed from auto-generated captions and edited for clarity. Watch the full debate on YouTube for complete, unedited remarks.
Candidates
Debate hosted by the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission. Participation status: Participating, Not Participating, No Response.
Voter FAQ
Superintendent of Public Instruction — Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction do?
- The Superintendent leads the Arizona Department of Education, which oversees K–12 public schools statewide. The office implements education laws and academic standards, distributes state and federal funding to district and charter schools, and oversees school accountability and teacher certification.
When is the 2026 Superintendent of Public Instruction election?
- The primary election is July 21, 2026, and the general election is November 3, 2026. The Superintendent serves a four-year term.View the election calendar
Who is running for Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2026?
- 2 candidates have filed in 2026. You can review each candidate’s party, campaign website, and positions on school funding, accountability, and parental choice below, or compare them side by side.Compare candidates
Does the Superintendent control what my local school teaches?
- No. Day-to-day curriculum, hiring, and school operations are set by locally elected school boards. The Superintendent sets statewide policy and distributes funding; Arizona’s public universities are governed separately by the Board of Regents.