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The two candidates for the San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools seat, Chelsea Bonini and Héctor Camacho, are taking preemptive action to raise money for their campaigns as they vie for the position in the June 2026 election. Among the two candidates, Camacho leads with a total amount of $54,269 raised while Bonini raised a total of $11,646 during the filing period from January through June.
The superintendent of schools is responsible for the operation of the San Mateo County Office of Education and provides support to the county’s 23 school districts.
In April, current Superintendent of Schools Nancy Magee announced that she would not seek re-election in 2026. She stated that she will be focusing on initiatives to increase youth mental health services and to accomplish the Office of Education’s strategic goals for the remainder of her term, which ends in January 2027.
Héctor Camacho
Camacho, executive director of Equity, Social Justice and Inclusion of the San Mateo County Office of Education, received donations from city and county officials, residents and supporters from across the Peninsula including Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Mateo and South San Francisco.
“This campaign has never been about one person,” said Camacho in a press release. “It’s about every child in San Mateo County, and the families and educators who are working every day to help them thrive.”
He previously served on the San Mateo County Board of Education for 11 years and has 25 years of experience working in the education system as a teacher, counselor and leader. Camacho’s campaign focuses on supporting the expansion of early childhood education, childcare services, professional development for school staff and addressing the teacher shortage.
Camacho has been endorsed by Magee, who donated $1,250 to his campaign.
He has received dozens of endorsements from federal, state and county leaders including U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin, state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park and San Mateo County Supervisor Lisa Gauthier.
Additional contributions ranging from $2,500 to $100 were made by County Supervisor Noelia Corzo, Superintendent of Brisbane School District Nancy Bui, committee for Diane Papan’s campaign for California State Assembly, Hillsborough Councilmember Marie Chuang and South San Francisco Councilmember Mark Nagales
The highest donation of $5,900 was made by Michelle Boyers, CEO of Give Forward Foundation, a nonprofit organization aimed at improving education in low-income public school districts. Following Boyer, Raquel Camacho donated $5,000 to the campaign.
During this filing period, he spent nearly $2,000 on printing and donation processing fees.
To learn more about Camacho’s campaign visit votehector.com.
Chelsea Bonini
San Mateo County Board of Education Trustee Bonini has served on the board since 2020 and carries over a decade of experience in educational leadership. She joined the race shortly after Magee’s retirement announcement. She’s garnering the support of local leaders such County Supervisor David Canepa and California Board of Equalization Member Sally Lieber and has also been endorsed by state Sen. Becker.
Bonini began her career in education as a kindergarten teacher in the South San Francisco Unified School District. As county superintendent, she hopes to prioritize literary strategies to make reading accessible, expanding mental health resources and to secure increased funding for schools.
Bonini’s highest contribution was made by Becker in a $1,000 donation to her campaign. She also received multiple donations of $500 from Board Chair of Fixin’ San Mateo County Jim Lawrence, Richard Bonini, CEO of Freeman Means Business Susan Freeman and more.
Heather Hopkins, founding member of Community Equity Collaborative and Las Lomitas School Board member, donated $250 to the campaign.
Bonini also received contributions ranging from $100 to $250 from local residents across the Peninsula in Menlo Park, Foster City, Redwood City, San Mateo and Daly City. Supporters outside of the Bay Area from Truckee, Riverside, Applegate and even donors from Washington and New York contributed to the campaign.
From Matthew Bonini, she received about $200 worth of campaign banners in nonmonetary contributions. During this filing period, Bonini spent about $3,000 on office expenses and political reporting and treasury services with Deane and Company, a Sacramento-based company.
Among endorsements, Bonini’s run for county superintendent is supported by California State Treasure Fiona Ma, Sequoia Union High School District trustees Mary Beth Thompson and Richard Ginn, Mayor of Millbrae Anders Fung, San Mateo County Commissioner Paul Bocanegra and former San Mateo County Undersheriff Chris Hsiung.
For more information on Bonini’s campaign visit votebonini.com.
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