Arizona candidate filing
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Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.drruizforarizona.com/
CandidateDemocratic
Teresa Leyba Ruiz
Candidate websites
Superintendent of Public Instruction
2026 Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction — General Election · November 3, 2026
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Last reviewed September 15, 2026Overview
- Current race
- 2026 Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction — General Election on November 3, 2026
- Official candidacy
- Superintendent of Public Instruction · Democratic · Candidate
VerifiedSource: Arizona Secretary of State
VerifiedOfficial records: Arizona Secretary of State
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Election: 2026 Arizona General Election
Election date: 2026-11-03
Office: Superintendent of Public Instruction
Candidate: RUIZ, TERESA LEYBA (DEM)
Party: Democratic
Candidacy type: Name printed on general-election candidate list
Signatures: 13,250
Nomination paper: https://apps.arizona.vote/electioninfo/assets/69/0/NominationPapers/ruiz-teresa-24934-30553.pdf
Official and campaign contacts
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Verified candidate website
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Website: https://www.drruizforarizona.com/
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Experience
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RESTORE TRUST
Source-published biographyServe as the “Advocate-in-Chief” for our public schools day in and day out.
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Serve as the “Advocate-in-Chief” for our public schools day in and day out.
I am a proud third-generation Arizonan whose parents come from humble beginnings. My father was born in the mining town of Miami, Arizona, and my mother was born in the farming community of Randolph, Arizona. My parents eventually moved to Tucson, where they both graduated from Pueblo High School. My father went on to complete an apprenticeship with Boeing and eventually opened his own business, Leyba Tool & Die. My mom retired from the City of Phoenix as an administrative assistant. I was raised in South Phoenix and attended public schools in the Roosevelt School District and Phoenix Union High School District. My parents worked hard to make sure their children understood the value of an education and pushed us to keep reaching for our dreams. As a first-generation college student, it was not always an easy path, but the encouragement from my parents never wavered.
Source-published biographyI am a proud third-generation Arizonan whose parents come from humble beginnings. My father was born in the mining town of Miami, Arizona, and my mother was born in the farming community of Randolph, Arizona. My parents eventually moved to Tucson, where they both graduated from Pueblo High School. My father went on to complete an apprenticeship with Boeing and eventually opened his own business, Leyba Tool & Die. My mom retired from the City of Phoenix as an administrative assistant. I was raised in South Phoenix and attended public schools in the Roosevelt School District and Phoenix Union High School District. My parents worked hard to make sure their children understood the value of an education and pushed us to keep reaching for our dreams. As a first-generation college student, it was not always an easy path, but the encouragement from my parents never wavered.
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I am a proud third-generation Arizonan whose parents come from humble beginnings. My father was born in the mining town of Miami, Arizona, and my mother was born in the farming community of Randolph, Arizona. My parents eventually moved to Tucson, where they both graduated from Pueblo High School. My father went on to complete an apprenticeship with Boeing and eventually opened his own business, Leyba Tool & Die. My mom retired from the City of Phoenix as an administrative assistant. I was raised in South Phoenix and attended public schools in the Roosevelt School District and Phoenix Union High School District. My parents worked hard to make sure their children understood the value of an education and pushed us to keep reaching for our dreams. As a first-generation college student, it was not always an easy path, but the encouragement from my parents never wavered.
Dr. Terry Leyba Ruiz is a mom, an educator with thirty-five years of experience, and the former President of Glendale Community College. She is a third-generation Arizonan, raised in South Phoenix, and is a proud product of Arizona's public schools. Terry is running to bring an educator's perspective and responsible leadership to the role of Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction because our students, educators, and families deserve a Superintendent they can trust.
Source-published biographyDr. Terry Leyba Ruiz is a mom, an educator with thirty-five years of experience, and the former President of Glendale Community College. She is a third-generation Arizonan, raised in South Phoenix, and is a proud product of Arizona's public schools. Terry is running to bring an educator's perspective and responsible leadership to the role of Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction because our students, educators, and families deserve a Superintendent they can trust.
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Dr. Terry Leyba Ruiz is a mom, an educator with thirty-five years of experience, and the former President of Glendale Community College. She is a third-generation Arizonan, raised in South Phoenix, and is a proud product of Arizona's public schools. Terry is running to bring an educator's perspective and responsible leadership to the role of Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction because our students, educators, and families deserve a Superintendent they can trust.
Positions and priorities
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Each summary is supported by the candidate's own words from a campaign source, direct candidate response, or official primary record retained with the profile.
INVEST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Candidate positionArizona has long ranked among the worst in the nation for per-pupil spending. When we appropriate resources to K-12 schools, every child regardless of zip code should have access to a high quality education that leads to an abundance of opportunities. As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will:
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Arizona has long ranked among the worst in the nation for per-pupil spending. When we appropriate resources to K-12 schools, every child regardless of zip code should have access to a high quality education that leads to an abundance of opportunities. As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will:
RESPECT EDUCATORS
Candidate positionAs an educator of 35 years, I understand the challenges both in and outside of the classroom here in Arizona. Our current Superintendent uses his position and our resources to sow mistrust against educators. It’s time to flip the script. As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will:
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As an educator of 35 years, I understand the challenges both in and outside of the classroom here in Arizona. Our current Superintendent uses his position and our resources to sow mistrust against educators. It’s time to flip the script. As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will:
PROTECT TAXPAYERS
Candidate positionCreate an ESA dashboard for transparent access to expenditures made with your tax funds.
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Create an ESA dashboard for transparent access to expenditures made with your tax funds.
PREPARE EVERY STUDENT
Candidate positionExpand access to early learning opportunities, such as literacy and universal pre-K.
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Expand access to early learning opportunities, such as literacy and universal pre-K.
RESTORE TRUST
Candidate positionRestore a climate of respect to the noble profession of teaching and end the baseless attacks on our schools.
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Restore a climate of respect to the noble profession of teaching and end the baseless attacks on our schools.
INVEST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Candidate positionSupport rural and urban school districts alike to ensure their unique needs are accounted for, rather than ignored.
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Support rural and urban school districts alike to ensure their unique needs are accounted for, rather than ignored.
RESPECT EDUCATORS
Candidate positionPartner with community colleges and universities to create teacher recruitment pipelines and retention programs that provide incentives, mentorships, and support.
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Partner with community colleges and universities to create teacher recruitment pipelines and retention programs that provide incentives, mentorships, and support.
PROTECT TAXPAYERS
Candidate positionEstablish rigorous audit protocols to ensure every tax dollar is spent for the intended purpose of educating Arizona’s students.
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Establish rigorous audit protocols to ensure every tax dollar is spent for the intended purpose of educating Arizona’s students.
PARTNER WITH PARENTS
Candidate positionCreate outreach initiatives in historically underserved communities so that every family has their voice represented.
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Create outreach initiatives in historically underserved communities so that every family has their voice represented.
PREPARE EVERY STUDENT
Candidate positionSupport dual language learners through robust immersion programs.
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Support dual language learners through robust immersion programs.
PREPARE EVERY STUDENT
Candidate positionBroaden tutoring and after-school programs for students who need extra support.
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Broaden tutoring and after-school programs for students who need extra support.
PROTECT TAXPAYERS
Candidate positionEnd the automatic approval of ESA expenditures of $2,000 or less, which have cost the state over $600M in one year.
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End the automatic approval of ESA expenditures of $2,000 or less, which have cost the state over $600M in one year.
PARTNER WITH PARENTS
Candidate positionLaunch an "Arizona Classroom Conversation" tour and meet with families in every county in the first year in office.
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Launch an "Arizona Classroom Conversation" tour and meet with families in every county in the first year in office.
PARTNER WITH PARENTS
Candidate positionForm advisory committees representing Tribal nations, rural schools, charter schools, special education, CTE, and Arizona's business leaders.
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Form advisory committees representing Tribal nations, rural schools, charter schools, special education, CTE, and Arizona's business leaders.
PARTNER WITH PARENTS
Candidate positionExpand accessibility of Department of Education meetings, and open up advisory committee positions to parents and students.
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Expand accessibility of Department of Education meetings, and open up advisory committee positions to parents and students.
PREPARE EVERY STUDENT
Candidate positionStrengthen CTE and dual enrollment pathways by partnering with our labor unions.
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Strengthen CTE and dual enrollment pathways by partnering with our labor unions.
PREPARE EVERY STUDENT
Candidate positionEnsure students are safe and secure by increasing access to mental health professionals, free and reduced lunches, and enrichment activities.
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Ensure students are safe and secure by increasing access to mental health professionals, free and reduced lunches, and enrichment activities.
PREPARE EVERY STUDENT
Candidate positionOffer guidance and best practices on A.I. so educators can make informed and safe decisions for their students.
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Offer guidance and best practices on A.I. so educators can make informed and safe decisions for their students.
PREPARE EVERY STUDENT
Candidate positionEnd the distractions and FOCUS on math and literacy initiatives to support student success.
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End the distractions and FOCUS on math and literacy initiatives to support student success.
RESTORE TRUST
Candidate positionCelebrate the excellence in our public schools and use my office to highlight the achievements of staff and students.
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Celebrate the excellence in our public schools and use my office to highlight the achievements of staff and students.
RESTORE TRUST
Candidate positionServe as the “Advocate-in-Chief” for our public schools day in and day out.
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Serve as the “Advocate-in-Chief” for our public schools day in and day out.
INVEST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Candidate positionAdvocate for increased funding for our public schools at the state legislature.
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Advocate for increased funding for our public schools at the state legislature.
INVEST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Candidate positionRein in the universal ESA program that defunded $1B from public education.
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Rein in the universal ESA program that defunded $1B from public education.
INVEST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Candidate positionReturn to an emphasis on academic success, rather than political agendas, partisan policies, and frivolous lawsuits.
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Return to an emphasis on academic success, rather than political agendas, partisan policies, and frivolous lawsuits.
RESPECT EDUCATORS
Candidate positionAddress the teacher shortage by restoring respect and trust towards educators because nobody wants to work for a bad boss.
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Address the teacher shortage by restoring respect and trust towards educators because nobody wants to work for a bad boss.
RESPECT EDUCATORS
Candidate positionAdvocate for increased teacher compensation so that our hardworking educators know they are valued.
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Advocate for increased teacher compensation so that our hardworking educators know they are valued.
RESPECT EDUCATORS
Candidate positionWork with County Superintendents and rural districts to reinstate professional development opportunities that have been abandoned under the current administration.
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Work with County Superintendents and rural districts to reinstate professional development opportunities that have been abandoned under the current administration.
Public record
Executive public-record methodology
Executive public-record methodology
This is an evidence limitation—not a finding that the candidate has never held public office, voted on public matters, issued executive actions, or taken positions. Candidate-stated prior service does not automatically attach another person's or a name-only archive.
Campaign finance
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FEC candidate totals for the current cycle.
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- Total disbursements
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- Cash on hand
- Not available
- Committee debt
- Not available
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Financial Disclosure Statement
Research boundary
Claims that did not clear the publication standard remain visibly excluded.
Complete public-action archive
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Candidate-stated prior service does not automatically attach a legislative, governing-board, judicial, or executive archive.
Sources
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- Election record
2026 Arizona general-election candidate record — Teresa Leyba Ruiz
Arizona Secretary of State
Open Arizona Secretary of State - GOVERNMENT_CANDIDATE_FILING
Teresa Leyba Ruiz — official nomination paper
Arizona Secretary of State
Open Arizona Secretary of State - GOVERNMENT_CAMPAIGN_FINANCE_FILING
Teresa Leyba Ruiz — official financial disclosure statement
Arizona Secretary of State
Open Arizona Secretary of State - Government website identity record
Teresa Leyba Ruiz — verified campaign website identity bridge
Arizona Secretary of State
Open Arizona Secretary of State - Candidate-owned primary source
Teresa Leyba Ruiz — candidate-owned primary source 2
Teresa Leyba Ruiz campaign
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Teresa Leyba Ruiz — candidate-owned primary source 3
Teresa Leyba Ruiz campaign
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Teresa Leyba Ruiz — candidate-owned primary source 4
Teresa Leyba Ruiz campaign
Open Teresa Leyba Ruiz campaign