Candidates for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
2026 Primary Election — June 2, 2026
Office: San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools — an open seat as incumbent Ted Alejandre is retiring after serving as County Superintendent. The office oversees 33 school districts, ~400,000 students, and provides fiscal oversight, alternative education, special education services, court schools, and serves as an intermediary between the California Department of Education and local districts. The office is nonpartisan. Under the top-two primary system, if no candidate receives a majority, the top two advance to November 3.
Cali Binks Nonpartisan Age 60 Frontrunner
Superintendent of Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District • Yucaipa
Cali Binks is a first-generation college graduate, the daughter of a US Army veteran, and has a brother with special needs who inspired her focus on special education. She has served 17 years as a school superintendent across two districts and previously spent 23 years in Fontana Unified as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, assistant superintendent, and deputy superintendent. She holds a BA in Human Development from UC Riverside (1989) and an MA in Special Education from Azusa Pacific University (2010). Endorsed by retiring County Superintendent Ted Alejandre.
Top Issues / Platform
- Support Students: Expand early learning, college & career pathways, early literacy (reading by 3rd grade), support for special needs students
- Engage Families: Partner with families as active participants; improve transparency and communication
- Empower Educators: Provide tools, resources, training; ensure safe, engaging classrooms
- Connect Communities: Build collaboration between school districts, businesses, industry partners
- Fiscal Responsibility: Responsible stewardship of public funds ensuring resources reach classrooms
Key Endorsements
- Ted Alejandre — Retiring County Superintendent
- San Bernardino County Coalition of CTA Presidents
- Sheriff Shannon Dicus & DA Jason Anderson
- Former State Senator Connie Leyda
- Teamsters Local 1932, Western State Carpenters Union Local 909
- Dr. Judy D. White (former Riverside County Superintendent), Dr. Herb Fischer (former SB County Superintendent)
- Redlands Teachers Association, Redlands ESPA, Association of Colton Educators
- IBEW, Sheriff's Employees' Benefit Association
Strengths ▲
- 17 years as a school superintendent — most directly relevant experience in the race
- Endorsed by retiring superintendent and major education/labor organizations
- Special education expertise (MA in Special Education, personal family experience)
- Broad bipartisan support from both law enforcement and teachers unions
- Strong campaign infrastructure and fundraising
Weaknesses ▼
- As the "establishment" candidate, vulnerable to outsider/anti-incumbent sentiment
- Some may view her as more of the same after 17 years in superintendent roles
- Could face attacks on status quo from Culberson's "Innovator vs. Insiders" messaging
- Less name recognition outside Yucaipa-Calimesa area
Ray Anthony Culberson Nonpartisan Age 65 Challenger
Chief Impact Officer / Advisory Superintendent; Founder of eHigh Charter Schools • San Bernardino
Ray Anthony Culberson grew up in government housing, was homeless, and watched his best friend killed beside him. He has 33 years in education and 42 years in business simultaneously. He holds two BAs from UC Berkeley (1983), an MBA from Cal State LA (1994), an MPA from Cal State San Bernardino (1999), and an MEd in Educational Administration; he also attended law school. He served as a teacher, dean, principal, director, and superintendent, and founded Entrepreneur High Schools (charter schools). He has also worked in real estate and construction. He does not solicit endorsements — stating "My obligation is to the students. I can't be bought."
Top Issues / Platform
- Graduation vs. Proficiency Gap: End celebrating high grad rates (86.2%) while hiding low proficiency (28% math); wants AI-powered auditing of LCAP spending
- Equality vs. Equity: Argues equity dollars spent without accountability; wants merit-based advancement
- Vocational Education Expansion: Expand CTE, trades, union partnerships
- Protecting Students from Educator Predators: Independent panels, mandatory termination for superintendents who fail to protect students
- Classroom Discipline Crisis: AI-powered behavioral tools, stronger consequences for misbehavior
Key Endorsements
Does NOT solicit endorsements — states he can't be bought and won't sell the office. Claims community support through organizations he has worked with.
Strengths ▲
- Unique combination of education leadership (33 years) and business experience (42 years)
- Powerful personal story — overcame homelessness to earn degrees from UC Berkeley and MBA
- Specific, data-driven proposals (AI-powered auditing, proficiency gap focus)
- Anti-establishment message may resonate with voters frustrated with status quo
- Strong vocational education focus addresses real workforce needs
Weaknesses ▼
- Charter school background may be controversial with teachers unions
- Political outsider positioning means limited institutional support
- May be seen as too aggressive or confrontational in messaging
- Less directly relevant superintendent experience than Binks
- No traditional endorsements could limit organizational get-out-the-vote support
No photo available
Ken Larson Nonpartisan Challenger
Former Member, San Bernardino County Board of Education (Area A) • Victor Valley / High Desert area
Ken Larson served on the San Bernardino County Board of Education representing Area A from 2019 to 2022 and was defeated for re-election. He previously served on the Victor Valley Union High School District school board from 2006 to 2010. He ran for County Superintendent in 2022 and lost to Ted Alejandre (34.9% to 65.1%). He has run and lost multiple school board campaigns. No campaign website found for 2026. Limited public platform available. Email: ken92392@yahoo.com.
Top Issues / Platform
- Fiscal accountability in school spending
- Parental rights in education
- Limited public information available for 2026
Key Endorsements
None identified.
Strengths ▲
- Has served on both county board of education and local school board
- Has run for this office before (2022), has some name recognition in education circles
- Persistent candidate familiar with the issues
Weaknesses ▼
- No campaign website or visible campaign infrastructure for 2026
- Lost previous election to Alejandre by a wide margin (34.9% to 65.1%)
- Defeated for re-election to county board of education in 2022
- Very limited public platform and voter outreach
- No endorsements or visible campaign activity
- Unlikely to be competitive in a 4-candidate field
Alex Vara Nonpartisan Challenger
Assistant Principal, Rialto Adult Education; Lecturer, CSUSB; Former Redlands Unified School Board Member • Rialto
Alex Vara has spent 34 years in Rialto USD as an aide, teacher, and elementary/middle/high school/continuation/independent study principal. He currently serves as Assistant Principal at Rialto Adult Education and is a Lecturer at CSUSB. He served on the Redlands Unified Board of Education (Area 4) from 2016 to 2024, losing re-election by ~200 votes in 2024. He also served on the Colton Redlands Yucaipa Regional Occupational Board (4 years) and the CIF State Board (6 years). He holds a BA in Political Science from CSUSB (1995) and an MEd in Educational Leadership from CSUSB (1999).
Top Issues / Platform
- School-to-Prison Pipeline: Stop funneling Black and Brown students into criminal justice; increase investments in programs supporting disenfranchised youth
- Disability Justice & Racial Equity: Remove barriers to disability accommodations for Black and Hispanic children underdiagnosed for autism/ADHD
- Youth Mental Health Crisis: Hire more mental health counselors; build partnerships with local therapists and agencies
- Workers' Rights & Class Size: Support educators on picket lines; reduce class sizes; raise wages so educators can afford to live in the county
- Safe Classrooms for All: Safety defined broadly: belonging, mental health support
Key Endorsements
- Previously endorsed by San Bernardino County Democratic Party and Redlands Teachers Association (2016)
- No formal endorsements listed for 2026
Strengths ▲
- 34 years in education — deep hands-on classroom and school leadership experience
- Experience teaching at the university level (CSUSB lecturer)
- Served on elected school board (Redlands Unified) — understands governance
- Progressive platform may appeal to Democratic voters in a low-turnout primary
- Personal connection to the community he would serve
Weaknesses ▼
- Lost school board re-election in 2024 by ~200 votes — recent electoral defeat
- Less executive leadership experience than Binks or Culberson
- Progressive platform may limit appeal in more conservative parts of the county
- Limited endorsements compared to Binks
- Assistant principal role is a step below the superintendent experience of some opponents
Race Summary & Outlook
This is a wide-open 4-candidate race for an open seat following Ted Alejandre's retirement. Cali Binks is the clear frontrunner with the retiring superintendent's endorsement, teachers union support, law enforcement backing, and 17 years of direct superintendent experience. Ray Anthony Culberson is running as the anti-establishment candidate with a data-driven reform agenda and strong personal story. Alex Vara brings progressive education advocacy and school board experience. Ken Larson has run before but has minimal visible campaign.
- Binks's advantage: Institutional support across education, labor, and law enforcement gives her the strongest ground game. Her 17 years as a superintendent is the most directly relevant experience. The retiring superintendent's endorsement is a powerful signal.
- Culberson's opening: His anti-establishment "Innovator vs. Insiders" message could break through in a year when voters are frustrated. His business background and data-driven proposals offer a clear contrast. If he forces a runoff, the dynamic changes completely.
- Vara's lane: Progressive Democrats looking for an education advocate have a clear option. His platform on the school-to-prison pipeline and disability justice is distinct. In a low-turnout primary, a motivated progressive base could give him a path to double digits.
- Larson factor: Unlikely to be competitive but could siphon enough votes to keep Binks below 50%+1, forcing a November runoff.
- Key question: Can Binks consolidate enough support to win outright in the primary, or does the 4-candidate field and anti-establishment mood force her into a runoff with Culberson?
Likely outcome: Binks wins outright in the primary or finishes first and advances to a runoff with Culberson. Vara and Larson are long shots.
Primary: June 2, 2026 — General: November 3, 2026