Former Clovis Unified School District Superintendent Eimear O’Brien will run for the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools in 2026, according to a report from GV Wire.
O’Brien retired from CUSD in 2023 in order to take care of her aging mother in Ireland.
The big picture: O’Brien told GV Wire that she planned to officially launch her campaign in January, but she confirmed her candidacy with rumors spreading that she is interested in the position.
Driving the news: O’Brien began as a third-grade teacher with Clovis Unified at Maple Creek Elementary in 1996.
- She worked her way up to become the principal of Clovis West High School and assistant superintendent of the Clovis West area before ascending to the district’s top leadership position in 2017.
What we’re watching: O’Brien is the first challenger to publicly step into the 2026 race.
- Superintendent of schools Michelle Cantwell-Copher was elected in 2022 when Jim Yovino retired from the position. Yovino told GV Wire that he is endorsing O’Brien.
- This will be O’Brien’s first political campaign after a career in education.
What she’s saying: “I recognize I’m a people person, and I love solving problems,” O’Brien told GV Wire. “And I’m passionate about elevating people around me. We have a lot of educational issues in this Valley, and our superintendents need support and help. And I just know that I could be really good at that.”
