• California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, a Bay Area Democrat, announced Tuesday that he’s running for Governor in 2026, joining Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and, possibly, Attorney General Rob Bonta, in the race to replace Gavin Newsom.
• Thurmond’s career in public office began with his election to the Richmond City Council in 2006. He served on the West Contra Costa School Board in 2008, and in 2014 was elected to the Assembly, where he served until his bid for superintendent in 2018.
• Thurmond’s two-term tenure as state superintendent hasn’t been particularly smooth: in 2021, Politico reported that Thurmond created such a toxic work environment that nearly two dozen staff left the state education department. He oversaw the same department during the COVID-19 school shutdowns.

Tagged: Political Roundup