Tony Thurmond
2019 - Present
2027
5
Tony Thurmond is the California Superintendent of Public Instruction. He assumed office on January 1, 2019. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.
Thurmond (Democratic Party) is running for election for Governor of California. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.
Thurmond is a former Democratic member of the California State Assembly, representing District 15 from 2014 to 2018.
Biography
Thurmond earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Temple University. He went on to earn his master's degree in social work and master's in law and social policy from Bryn Mawr College.[1]
Professionally, Thurmond has pursued a career in social work. At the time of his tenure, he was the youth education director at the Lincoln Child Center. He served on the Richmond City Council from 2005 to 2008 and as Council Liaison to Richmond’s Youth Commission and Workforce Investment Board and the Council Liaison to the West Contra Costa Unified School District. He was also a member of the California League of Cities Environmental Policy Committee and the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee. He was a Fellow in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Children and Family Fellowship program.[1]
Additionally, he served on the West Contra Costa County School Board from 2008 to 2012.[1]
Political career
Superintendent of Education (2019-present)
Thurmond has served as the superintendent of public instruction since 2019.[2]
California State Assembly (2014-2018)
Thurmond served in the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2018.
Committee assignments
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| California committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Health |
| • Human Services |
| • Labor and Employment, Chair |
| • Water, Parks and Wildlife |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Thurmond served on the following committees:
| California committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Budget |
| • Education |
| • Health |
| • Human Services |
| • Labor and Employment |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2026
See also: California gubernatorial election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Governor of California
Toni Atkins, Eleni Kounalakis, Tony Thurmond, and Betty Yee are running in the general election for Governor of California on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Toni Atkins (D) | |
 | Eleni Kounalakis (D) | |
 | Tony Thurmond (D) | |
 | Betty Yee (D) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: California Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2022
General election
General election for California Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Tony Thurmond defeated Lance Christensen in the general election for California Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tony Thurmond (Nonpartisan) | 63.7 | 5,681,318 |
 | Lance Christensen (Nonpartisan) | 36.3 | 3,237,785 | |
| Total votes: 8,919,103 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for California Superintendent of Public Instruction
The following candidates ran in the primary for California Superintendent of Public Instruction on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tony Thurmond (Nonpartisan) | 45.9 | 2,881,684 |
| ✔ | | Lance Christensen (Nonpartisan) | 11.9 | 745,003 |
 | Ainye Long (Nonpartisan) | 11.1 | 699,331 | |
 | George Yang (Nonpartisan) | 11.1 | 694,073 | |
 | Marco Amaral (Nonpartisan) | 8.7 | 547,389 | |
 | Jim Gibson (Nonpartisan) | 7.5 | 468,078 | |
 | Joseph Campbell (Nonpartisan) | 3.9 | 241,984 | |
| Total votes: 6,277,542 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
2018
General election
General election for California Superintendent of Public Instruction
Tony Thurmond defeated Marshall Tuck in the general election for California Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tony Thurmond (Nonpartisan) | 50.9 | 5,385,912 |
 | Marshall Tuck (Nonpartisan) | 49.1 | 5,198,738 | |
| Total votes: 10,584,650 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for California Superintendent of Public Instruction
Marshall Tuck and Tony Thurmond defeated Lily Ploski and Steven Ireland in the primary for California Superintendent of Public Instruction on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Marshall Tuck (Nonpartisan) | 37.0 | 2,223,784 |
| ✔ | | Tony Thurmond (Nonpartisan) | 35.6 | 2,136,919 |
 | Lily Ploski (Nonpartisan) | 16.4 | 984,932 | |
 | Steven Ireland (Nonpartisan) | 11.0 | 658,786 | |
| Total votes: 6,004,421 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
- U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)
- California Teachers Association
- The Los Angeles Times[3]
- The Sacramento Bee[4]
- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)
- Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.)
- Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.)
- Congressman Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.)
- Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.)
- Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.)
- Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.)
- Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.)
- Congressman Mark Takano (D-Calif.)
- Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)
- Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-Calif.)
- Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.)
- Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Calif.)
Click here for full list of Thurmond's supporters.
2016
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.[5]
Incumbent Tony Thurmond defeated Claire Chiara in the California State Assembly District 15 general election.[6][7]
| California State Assembly, District 15 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Tony Thurmond Incumbent |
89.38% | 189,530 | |
| Republican | Claire Chiara | 10.62% | 22,528 | |
| Total Votes | 212,058 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Tony Thurmond and Claire Chiara were unopposed in the California State Assembly District 15 Blanket primary.[8][9]
| California State Assembly, District 15 Blanket Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Tony Thurmond Incumbent | |
| Republican | Claire Chiara | |
2014
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. Elizabeth Echols (D) and Tony Thurmond (D) defeated Clarence Hunt (D), Sam Kang (D), Pamela Price (D), Rich Kinney (R), Eugene E. Ruyle (Peace & Freedom) and Bernt Rainer Wahl (I) in the blanket primary. Thurmond defeated Echols in the general election.[10][11][12]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tony Thurmond |
54.3% | 66,661 | |
| Democratic | Elizabeth Echols | 45.7% | 56,071 | |
| Total Votes | 122,732 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |
Elizabeth Echols |
31.1% | 21,664 | |
| Democratic | Tony Thurmond |
24.4% | 16,963 | |
| Democratic | Pamela Price | 17.1% | 11,898 | |
| Republican | Rich Kinney | 10.8% | 7,531 | |
| Democratic | Sam Kang | 6.7% | 4,630 | |
| Democratic | Clarence Hunt | 4.8% | 3,329 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Eugene E. Ruyle | 3.5% | 2,426 | |
| Independent | Bernt Rainer Wahl | 1.6% | 1,132 | |
| Total Votes | 69,573 | |||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2022
Tony Thurmond did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Tony Thurmond participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on May 19, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Tony Thurmond's responses follow below.[13]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1. Lead California's fight against Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos's anti-education agenda: I will fight to keep public schools public, protect California's ban on school vouchers, and eliminate for-profit charter schools. 2. Invest in great teachers: We should give teachers the flexibility to do more than just teach to the test. I believe schools should teach students creativity and critical thinking skills, including improved arts and music education. 3. Prepare students for the jobs of the 21st century: I will ensure every California student has the resources they need to develop their capabilities in science, technology, engineering, and math to succeed in our fast-growing, 21st century economy.[14][15] | ” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | I am passionate about improving public education for all of California's kids. Education saved my life, enabling me to overcome humble beginnings. My mother emigrated from Panama to San Jose to teach, and raised four children on her own until she lost her battle to cancer. I was raised by a cousin whom I'd never met and who ensured I received a great education. It was my public school education that prepared me for college, where I became student body president, and for a twenty-year career as a social worker and twelve years working in schools. Ultimately I was inspired to serve on the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board, the Richmond City Council, and now in the California State Assembly, where I have moved millions of dollars into local public schools. As Superintendent, I'll work to make California's public schools the best in the nation so that every child can succeed. Learn more about my plan at www.tonythurmond.com.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[15]
|
” |
2014
Thurmond submitted the following statement to Ballotpedia"[1]
| “ | I am running for Assembly because I believe that California can do better—in public education, job creation, worker protections, crime prevention and healthcare accessibility and affordability. If I am elected, I plan to continue my work of improving our schools, reducing dropout rates, providing youth with alternatives to crime and drugs, promoting family wellness and access to affordable healthcare, supporting the rights of California’s teachers and public employees and creating sustainable jobs and job-training programs to give youth real opportunities to succeed in a 21st century workforce.[15] | ” |
Campaign donors
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
2016
Thurmond won re-election to the California State Assembly in 2016. During that election cycle, Thurmond raised a total of $1,139,223.
| California State Assembly 2016 election - campaign contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Tony Thurmond's campaign in 2016 | ||||
| State Building & Construction Trades Council Of California | $17,000 | |||
| California Faculty Association | $17,000 | |||
| California Nurses Association / National Nurses Organizing Cmte | $17,000 | |||
| American Federation Of State County & Municipal Employees / Afscme | $17,000 | |||
| California State Association Of Electrical Workers | $17,000 | |||
| Total raised in 2016 | $1,139,223 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
2014
Thurmond won election to the California State Assembly in 2014. During that election cycle, Thurmond raised a total of $746,055.
| California State Assembly 2014 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Tony Thurmond's campaign in 2014 | ||||
| California Teachers Association | $16,400 | |||
| California Professional Fire Fighters Association | $16,385 | |||
| California Nurses Association / National Nurses Organizing Cmte | $15,400 | |||
| Electrical Workers Local 595 | $12,300 | |||
| California Correctional Peace Officers Association | $8,200 | |||
| Total Raised in 2014 | $746,055 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
2008
Thurmond lost the election for the California State Assembly in 2008. During that election cycle, Thurmond raised a total of $323,856.
| California State Assembly 2008 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Tony Thurmond's campaign in 2008 | ||||
| Electrical Workers Local 302 | $7,200 | |||
| International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers / Ibew | $3,600 | |||
| Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs Association | $3,600 | |||
| Richmond Sanitary Service | $3,600 | |||
| National Association Of Social Workers California Chapter | $3,600 | |||
| Total Raised in 2008 | $323,856 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage and endorsements scopes.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of California scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2018
In 2018, the California State Legislature was in session from January 3, 2018 through August 31, 2018.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on "policy that will support a healthy, just and resilient agriculture and food system."
- Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on "how they voted in accord with CMTA."
- Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of consumers.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's position legislation.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to children.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to children.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the interests of seniors.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on behavioral health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer related issues.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on bills related to the interests of California cities.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on the organization's priority legislation.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the interests of home care providers.
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2017, the California State Legislature was in session from December 5, 2016 through September 15, 2017.
|
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2016, the California State Legislature was in session from January 4 through August 31. The formal session ended on August 31, but constitutionally the session adjourned sine die on November 30.
|
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2015, the California State Legislature was in session from December 1, 2014, through September 12, 2015.
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See also
2026 Elections
2022 Elections
External links
|
Officeholder California Superintendent of Public Instruction |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Information submitted through Ballotpedia's biographical submission form on May 7, 2014
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography" accessed September 26, 2012
- ↑ The Los Angeles Times, "For his unwavering commitment to at-risk students, Tony Thurmond for superintendent of public instruction," April 23, 2018
- ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "It’s Thurmond for superintendent of public instruction, as California politics shift," April 29, 2018
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed April 18, 2017
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for the November 8, 2016, General Election," accessed September 7, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 23, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices," accessed April 4, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Statement of Vote," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official 2014 Primary election candidate list," accessed March 27, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed July 15, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official general election results," accessed December 14, 2014
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Tony Thurmond's responses," May 19, 2018
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
California Superintendent of Public Instruction 2019-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
California State Assembly District 15 2014-2018 |
Succeeded by Buffy Wicks (D) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
State of California Sacramento (capital) |
|---|---|
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