Nichelle M. HendersonNichelle M. Henderson

Like many other open races this year, the field to replace Tony Thurmond—who is termed out and, like every other Californian with a pulse in want of a job, threw his hat in the ring for governor—is full of candidates. Al Muratsuchi, Josh Newman, and Anthony Rendon are among the Democratic frontrunners and all come from the State Assembly; they have fairly similar platforms and all represent varying shades of the Democratic political establishment in California.

Sonja Shaw, the president of Chino Valley Unified School District, is the most prominent Republican in the race. Besides the big elephant next to her name, her endorsement by the California Rifle & Pistol Association PAC is a huge red flag. In our humble opinions, schools and guns should not mix.

Nichelle Henderson is the only Democrat to have longtime classroom experience as a teacher and leader with California Faculty Association (CFA). Henderson touts endorsement from a long list of other community leaders, progressive and young Democrat groups, and many members of the Legislative Black Caucus. On other important issues, Nichelle has supported progressive planks like single-payer healthcare, the billionaire tax proposal, and strict accountability for public supported charter schools.

She is also the only candidate who vociferously opposed AB 715, the “Don’t Say Palestine” bill that attacks academic freedom and free speech under the guise of fighting antisemitism. Henderson is less well known than the many establishment candidates, but because of how split the field is, a strong, united push on the part of the left could catapult her into the top two.

We recommend Nichelle Henderson for California Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Source (https://www.californiadsa.org/voterguide)

Henderson serves as Los Angeles Community College District trustee with strong union credentials and extensive teaching experience. She advocates for expanded school health access and standardized testing reform, plus divesting state pensions from fossil fuels and the U.S. war machine.

Key endorsements: California Democratic Legislative Women's Caucus, California Legislative Black Caucus, California Young Democrats.

A lifelong California educator—former classroom teacher, community college trustee, and CSU teacher educator—Nichelle Henderson has spent her career centering the students most often left behind, from personally paying out of pocket for short-term housing for unhoused college students to spearheading a district-wide LGBTQ+ Ball celebration rooted in ballroom culture. She has been a consistent advocate for transgender and gender-expansive students, pushing for gender-neutral restrooms, eliminating dead naming on class rosters, and ensuring LGBTQ+ rights are protected at every level of her institution. She refuses all corporate and PAC money, wanting to remain accountable only to California voters, and her campaign has earned grassroots endorsements from young Democrats across the state who will be most directly affected by her decisions as Superintendent.

Source (https://www.milkclub.org/endorsements)

In a crowded field, Henderson stands apart as the only candidate who has spent decades in California’s K-12 classrooms — experience she has built on as a community college trustee and faculty member at the California State University. That depth of experience is exactly what the state’s top education office demands, and it came through clearly in our endorsement process

Henderson’s vision for California’s schools centers the students and communities most often left behind. Her platform prioritizes expanding mental health resources for young women, who disproportionately experience trauma, harassment and gender-based violence that affects their ability to learn; building girls’ access to STEM and high-growth career pathways; and advocating for education funding, livable wages, and affordable housing for the teachers and school staff who make it all possible. She has pledged her full support for healthcare access, reproductive freedom, and strong protections against gender-based violence in schools and political spaces.

If elected, Henderson will make history as the first Black woman to lead California’s schools; this is a milestone that matters not just symbolically, but as a powerful signal to young women across the state that leadership at every level is possible for them.

We are enthusiastic in this recommendation and look forward to working with Nichelle Henderson to champion women, girls, and families statewide.

Source (https://sfwpc.org/pac-recommendations-for-june-2026-election/)

DSA San Diego endorsement

Mrs. Frazzled endorsed her and that’s all I need to know

VIG listing; Occupation: College Trustee/Teacher

Primary: Jun 2, 2026

Nichelle Henderson - Pretty Milquetoast, gonna win probably.

Dual endorsement with Richard Barrera

VIG listing; College Trustee / Teacher