State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces Intent To Run For Governor In 2026

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced on Thursday that he intends to run for Governor in 2026, becoming one of the first major candidates to announce their intent more than three years until the election is due to be held.

Thurmond, a graduate of Temple University and Bryn Mawr College, began his career in the non-profit sector. He began to receive more leadership roles, and by the mid-2000’s, he became Executive Director of Beyond Emancipation, a child welfare and juvenile justice non-profit. It was also during this time that Thurmond entered the world of politics. Following an unsuccessful run for the Richmond City Council in 2004, he was elected in the very next year, serving from 2005 to 2008. After yet another loss, this time for an Assembly seat in 2008, he was elected to the West Contra Costa School Board later that year.

After flirting with a possible state Senate Run, Thurmond next decided to run for the Assembly yet again in 2014, winning a seat by a narrow 54% to 46% margin over fellow Democrat Elizabeth Echols. In the Assembly, Thurmond was behind many tobacco and incarceration bills, with one, AB 768, ultimately banning the use of tobacco from being used inside stadiums in California. However, many pieces of legislation were also controversial, such as one bill shifting funds away from the prison system to schools, and another in 2017 calling for the censure of President Donald Trump.

Thurmond gave up another term in the Assembly in 2018 to run for State Superintendent, ultimately defeating Marshall Tuck by a thin 51%-49% total. Since being sworn in in 2019, Thurmond has remained State Superintendent.

However, Thurmond’s first term was riddled with controversy. His decisions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic on everything from closing public schools for almost a year to being sued by parents over remote learning inequalities tarnished his legacy.

His opposition to charter schools was also controversial, and his decision to hire his close friend and wedding party groomsman Daniel Lee, a psychologist, life coach and self-help author, to be California’s first superintendent of equity, an out-of-state “superintendent of equity” ended in disaster in December 2021 after it was found out that he had violated state law to do so. Thurmond’s friend-choice ended up resigning only days after being chosen, with even Governor Gavin Newsom admonishing him in the press.

Reelected in 2022, Thurmond’s second term has so far gone smoothly, with  the Superintendent even recently helping the Oakland schools and teachers union reach an agreement in May. However, despite still being seen somewhat negatively for his dubious history in the past few years, Thurmond announced on Thursday that he intends to run for Governor in 2026. While he said he is still fully committed to being Superintendent, he also noted that that state government needs to work together to solve problems, and that he could do so as Governor.

“Working families across California are facing so many challenges that require our entire state government working together to solve,” said Thurmond in a tweet on Wednesday. “Growing up as a Black and Latino kid without my parents, I lived the struggles that so many Californians face every day — that’s why I dedicated my career to fighting for a brighter future for California’s children Right now I’m fully focused on my job as State Superintendent — from taking on MAGA extremists who want to ban books to defending classroom teachers and students against the constant assault on our democracy.”

Deeply grateful for the calls and texts today. Here’s where things stand ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JshCI2DjGO

— Tony Thurmond (@TonyThurmond) July 6, 2023

However, Thurmond, who has only filed an intent to run rather than launch an official campaign, is not alone in an early announcement for running for Governor. Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis announced an official run back in April, with former State Controller Betty Yee also announcing her intent earlier this year. Experts noted on Thursday that the race still has a long way to go, and that Thurmond is only one of many to be looking at the Governor position in 2026.

“A lot of people are looking at that office outside the bear statue,” explained gubernatorial pollster Guillermo Williams to the Globe on Thursday. “Thurmond is looking to jump in now, and right now, he is gauging how well he can do, as well as if the public can forgive for all his missteps. Kounalakis and other candidates have a lot to use against him in debates, especially how he broke state law to hire a friend in a prominent position without reviewing in-state candidates. Plus, he ran schools during COVID. That alone could doom him.

“But it is early. Very early. Kounalakis is the biggest name right now, but Thurmond has some weight behind him too. It will be interesting to see who else runs as an open Gubernatorial seat does not come around often.”

Other candidates for the 2026 race are expected to announce in the coming months.