Arizona’s race for superintendent of public instruction is one of the most consequential education contests on the 2026 ballot, with two candidates offering sharply different visions for how the state should run its public schools. From teacher shortages to school vouchers, the stakes for Arizona families and students couldn’t be higher.
Voters can learn more about both candidates by watching this video overview from KJZZ, and can access a full Arizona Voter Guide for additional election resources. Below is a breakdown of who is running and what they stand for.
Teresa Leyba Ruiz (Democrat)
Teresa Leyba Ruiz is making her first run for public office after a career that took her from the math classroom to the president’s office of Glendale Community College. She secured the Democratic nomination by defeating primary opponent Brett Newby by a wide margin. Her campaign website is drruizforarizona.com.
Ruiz has focused her platform on two central issues: strengthening oversight of Arizona’s private school voucher program by adding more requirements, and tackling the state’s ongoing teacher shortage, which she has identified as her top priority.
Kimberly Yee (Republican)
Kimberly Yee brings a long record in state government to this race. She currently serves as Arizona’s state treasurer and previously served as a state lawmaker. In the Republican primary, she defeated incumbent Superintendent Tom Horne — a notable upset heading into the general election. More information about her campaign can be found at kimberlyyee.com.
Yee has the backing of key conservative groups, including Turning Point USA and the state Legislature’s far-right Freedom Caucus, though she does not carry an endorsement from President Trump. She is a strong supporter of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts — the state’s private school voucher program — and has previously raised concerns about the program’s payment platform. As Bridget Dowd reported earlier this year, Yee called for the voucher marketplace platform to be updated and improved to protect taxpayer dollars. Her top campaign priority is improving Arizona students’ test scores.
The race has not been without controversy. Democratic candidate Ruiz faced a complaint over campaign photo ops conducted in school classrooms, with allegations that her campaign brought politics too close to Arizona’s public schools, as reported by Wayne Schutsky.
For more coverage of education and politics in Arizona, visit KJZZ’s elections page and follow the latest Arizona politics reporting.
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