Welcome to the start of the 2026 primary debates, put on by the Arizona Media Association and Clean Elections.
The two Democrats competing to become Arizona’s next superintendent of public instruction each bring decades of education experience, and similar visions of the future, but only Ruiz has been able to secure the endorsements of dozens of lawmakers, including some of the most progressive voices in Arizona politics, such as U.S. Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva and State Sen. Analise Ortiz.
Ruiz is a former math teacher and past president of Glendale Community College with 35 years of experience in education. A third-generation Arizonan raised in South Phoenix, Ruiz says she is running to bring an educator’s perspective and “responsible leadership” to the office.
Newby is a behavior analyst, educator and longtime coach who says his campaign is focused on strengthening Arizona’s public school system through increased funding, teacher retention and expanded student support services. His platform includes restoring full-day kindergarten, expanding career and technical education programs, increasing access to school counselors and pursuing a permanent fix to the state’s Aggregate Expenditure Limit.
Our live blog on this debate will begin at 6 p.m. May 13, 2026
Arizona lawmakers and advocates warn her continued detention at Eloy, despite severe medical decline and a history of leukemia, amounts to a “death sentence” as pressure mounts on federal officials to grant humanitarian parole.
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