North Coast Education Leader Michael Davies-Hughes Backs Newman for State Superintendent

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This is from Josh Newman for Superintendent of Public Instruction:

Josh Newman

Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools Michael Davies-Hughes, a longtime educator and administrator with decades of experience serving North Coast students, has officially endorsed Josh Newman for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Throughout his career, Davies-Hughes has served as both a classroom teacher and a school administrator, working closely with students, families, and educators across one of California’s most geographically diverse and rural regions. His leadership has consistently centered on improving student outcomes by addressing not only academic achievement, but also student health, well-being, and access to critical support services.

Superintendent Davies-Hughes’ endorsement reflects a shared belief that every student deserves access to strong schools, healthy learning environments, and the resources necessary to succeed. Newman’s commitment to supporting rural and small school districts, strengthening student mental health supports, and ensuring equitable access to resources aligns closely with the priorities that have guided Davies-Hughes’ leadership in Humboldt County.

In announcing the endorsement of Newman, Superintendent Davies-Hughes released the following statement:

“Across the more than 30 school districts and 70 schools I oversee, student success depends on whether schools have the resources, flexibility, and support to meet students where they are,” said Superintendent Davies-Hughes. “Josh Newman brings a thoughtful, solutions-driven approach that reflects how education actually works on the ground. His commitment to student health, strong outcomes, and equitable support for every community is exactly what California needs in their next State Superintendent.”

“County Superintendent Michael Davies-Hughes is exactly the kind of education leader California should be listening to,” said Josh Newman. “He is deeply rooted in his community and focused on student health, equity, and outcomes. I’m honored to earn his support and excited to work together to ensure schools in Humboldt County and across the state have the resources they need to help every student thrive.”

With this endorsement from Humboldt County Superintendent Michael Davies-Hughes, Josh Newman continues to build a truly statewide coalition—uniting urban, suburban, and rural education leaders around a shared commitment to student success, healthy schools, and equitable opportunity.

Recently, Josh Newman released the following statement in launching his campaign for State Superintendent:

“I’m running for State Superintendent because California’s students deserve a public education system that truly works for all of them — one that prepares every child not just to succeed, but to thrive.

As a former State Senator, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, public school parent, and Army veteran, I’ve spent my career focused on practical solutions that lift students, support educators, and strengthen our schools. I’ve fought for increased education funding, modernized facilities, stronger early learning programs, and better mental and physical health support for students. I’ve never been afraid to challenge the status quo when the system falls short.

I know firsthand the power of public education to open doors and shape futures. And, a strong, equitable education system is one of the greatest tools we have to advance opportunity, dignity, and progress.

That’s why I’m running — to bring steady, principled, and student-focused leadership to the State Superintendent’s office. In a time of division and disinformation, our students deserve leaders who will listen, lead with facts, and build coalitions to get things done.

I’m proud of our accomplishments. There is still work to be done — especially for the students who are most often left behind. In the months ahead, I’ll be traveling across the state, listening to students, parents, and educators to ensure every child in California has access to the public education they deserve.”

Josh Newman has quickly built a diverse coalition of early support from local, state, federal, and international elected leaders, along with classroom educators and organized labor, including:

Organizations:

• State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
• Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers Local 5
• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
• International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12
• Operating Engineers Local 3
• United Association (UA) Local 246 – Plumbers, Pipe, & Refrigeration Fitters
• United Association (UA) Local 250 – Steamfitters & Refrigeration
• Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs
• Orange County Business Council

Federal & State Leaders:

• Congressman Gil Cisneros
• Congressman Mike Levin
• Congressman Derek Tran
• State Senate Majority Whip Dave Cortese
• State Senator Josh Becker
• State Senator Melissa Hurtado
• State Senator John Laird
• State Senator Tom Umberg
• Assemblymember Juan Carrillo
• Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris
• Assemblymember Sharon Quirk Silva
• Santa Clara Valley Water District Director, State Senator (Ret.) Jim Beall
• State Senator Bill Dodd (Ret.)
• State Senator Susan Eggman (Ret.)
• State Senator & Assembly Speaker Emeritus Bob Hertzberg (Ret.)
• State Senate Majority Leader Richard Polanco (Ret.)
• State Senator Scott Wilk (Ret.)

Education Leaders & School Board Members:

• Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools Michael Davies-Hughes
• Anaheim Elementary School District Board President Jackie Filbeck
• Brea Olinda Unified School District Board President Carrie Flanders
• Brea Olinda Unified School District Board Trustee Joseph Covey
• Cal State Fullerton President Emeritus Fram Virjee
• Capistrano Unified Trustee Krista Castellanos
• Capistrano Unified Trustee Gary Pritchard
• Coast Community College District President Liz Dorn Parker Ed.D.
• Cold Spring School District Superintendent Amy Alzina Ed.D.
• Cold Spring School District Board President Michael Marino
• Fresno Unified School District Superintendent Bob Nelson (Ret.)
• Fullerton School Board President Beverly Berryman
• Fullerton School Board Vice President Ruthi Hanchett
• Fullerton School Board Clerk Aruni Thakur
• Fullerton School Board Trustee Hilda Sugarman (Ret.)
• Fullerton Joint Union High School District President Vicki Calhoun Ed.D.
• Fullerton Joint Union High School District Trustee Lauren Klatzker
• Fullerton Joint Union High School District Trustee Joanne Fawley
• Fullerton Joint Union High School District Trustee Chester Jeng
• Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Board President Gino Kwok
• La Habra City School Board President Adam Rogers
• La Habra City School Board Vice President Justin Rodgers
• Long Beach City College District Trustee Sunny Zia
• Los Alamitos Unified School District Trustee Chris Forehan
• Mt. SAC Trustee Manuel Baca
• Natomas Unified School District Trustee Scott Dosick
• Newport Mesa Unified School District Board President Leah Ersoylu Ph.D.
• Newport Mesa Unified School District Board Vice President Michelle Murphy
• Newport Mesa Unified School District Trustee Carol Crane
• Orange Unified School District Board President Kris Erickson
• Orange Unified School District Board Vice President Andrea Yamasaki
• Orange Unified School District Board Clerk Ana Page
• Orange Unified School District Board Trustee Sara Pelly
• Orange Unified School District Board Trustee Matthew Thomas
• Orange Unified School District Board Trustee Sierra Vane Ph.D.
• Orange Unified School District Board Trustee Stephen Glass Ed.D.
• OUSD School Board Member Kathy Moffat (Ret.)
• Placentia-Yorba Linda Board Vice President Carrie Buck
• Pomona Unified School District Trustee Patricia Tye
• Riverside Unified School District Trustee Angelo Farooq Ph.D. (Ret.)
• Rowland Heights School Board President Agnes Gonzalez
• Santa Ana Unified School District Board Clerk Valerie Magdaleno
• South OC Community College District Board President Carolyn Inmon
• South OC Community College District Board Vice President Ryan Dack
• South OC Community College District Trustee T.J. Prendergast
• Trinity Alps Unified School District Superintendent Jaime Green
• Walnut Valley School Board President Layla Abou-Taleb
• Walnut Valley School Board Clerk Tony Torng Ph.D.
• Walnut Valley School Board Trustee Cindy Ruiz
• Walnut Valley School Board Trustee Helen Hall
• Westminster School District Board President David Johnson

County & Local Leaders:

• Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia
• Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley
• Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen
• Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore
• Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken
• Anaheim Council Member Kristen Maahs
• Artesia Mayor Ali Taj
• Brea Mayor Cecilia Hupp
• Brea Council Member Christine Marick
• Brea Mayor Glenn Parker (Ret.)
• Buena Park Mayor Joyce Ahn
• Buena Park Vice Mayor Connor Traut
• Buena Park Council Member Susan Sonne
• Buena Park Council Member Carlos Franco
• Buena Park Council Member Lamiya Hoque
• Cerritos Mayor Frank Yokoyama
• City of Industry Mayor Cory Moss
• Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens
• Costa Mesa Council Member Loren Gameros
• Cypress Mayor David Burke
• Diamond Bar Mayor Steve Tye
• Diamond Bar Council Member Andrew Chou
• Diamond Bar Council Member Stan Liu
• El Cerrito Mayor Gabe Quinto
• Fullerton Mayor Pro Tem Shana Charles Ph.D.
• Fullerton Mayor Jesus Silva (Ret.)
• Garden Grove Council Member Ariana Arestegui
• Irvine Council Member Melinda Liu
• La Habra Mayor Jose Medrano
• La Habra Mayor Pro Tem James Gomez
• La Habra Council Member Daren Nigsarian
• Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi
• Laguna Niguel Council Member Stephanie Oddo
• Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris
• Orange Council Member Arianna Barrios
• Orange Council Member Ana Gutierrez
• Palmdale Mayor Eric Ohlsen
• Rohnert Park Council Member Jackie Elward
• Sanger Council Member Esmeralda Hurtado
• San Juan Capistrano Council Member Sergio Farias
• San Jose Council Member David Cohen
• San Pablo Vice Mayor Rita Xavier
• Santa Ana Council Member Jessie Lopez
• Tustin Council Member Lee Fink
• Villa Park Mayor Nicol Jones
• Villa Park Mayor Jordan Wu
• Walnut Mayor Linda Freedman
• Walnut Mayor Ritchie Cajulis
• Walnut Mayor Pro Tem Allen Wu Ph.D.
• Westlake Mayor Kelly Honig

International Government Leaders:

• Local Deputy Yesenia Rojas Cervantes, State Congress of Guanajuato, Mexico

Teachers & Educators:

• Anaheim Union P.E. Teacher Mike Flinner
• Anaheim Union Math Teacher James Goran
• Career Technical Education Teacher/Advocate Nicholas Dibs
• Fullerton School District Teacher Pam Keller
• Fullerton School District Teacher Blair Campbell
• Fullerton School District Teacher Andy Montoya
• Fullerton Union High School Math Teacher Jennifer Thien
• Fullerton Union High School Social Studies Teacher Sharon Hollon
• Mt. Diablo Unified School District Teacher Jennifer LaForce

*Titles listed for identification purposes only.

ABOUT JOSH

Josh Newman is a former California State Senator who represented the 29th District, spanning communities across Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. During his time in the State Senate, Newman chaired the Senate Committee on Education and served on key committees including Transportation; Elections & Constitutional Amendments, Energy, Utilities & Communications; and Budget & Fiscal Review.

Newman’s work has earned wide recognition, including Legislator of the Year honors from the University of California, American Academy of Pediatrics of California, and the California Optometric Association; the Senator of the Year award from the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce; and environmental and innovation accolades from the California Product Stewardship Council and Hydrogen Car Owners Association.

A veteran, entrepreneur, and public servant, Newman’s career has been defined by service—first as a United States Army officer, then as a private-sector executive in tech startups, and later as the founder of ArmedForce2Workforce, an initiative helping young veterans in Southern California transition to meaningful civilian careers.

A graduate of Yale University with a degree in History focused on 20th-century American politics, Newman earned his Army commission through Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. His military service included postings in South Korea with a nuclear artillery unit and in Hawaii with the 25th Infantry Division. He and his wife, Darcy Lewis, live in Fullerton with their daughter and three delightfully eccentric rescue Chihuahuas.

For more information, please visit newmanforspi.com