Tony Thurmond
The schools-first progressive trying to break out of single digits.
Official campaign site ↗Thurmond — a former social worker who became California's chief K-12 officer — pitches a governorship anchored in education, social safety net expansion, and protecting young people from federal rollbacks.
Raised in foster care, Thurmond rose through Richmond city government and the state Assembly before winning two statewide terms as Superintendent of Public Instruction. The first Black candidate in the top tier of the 2026 field, he is term-limited at SPI and has been running for governor since September 2023.
- +Only Black candidate in the top tier
- +Education brand resonates with parents and teachers
- +Earliest entrant in the race — ground game in the Bay Area
- −Fundraising is well behind the field
- −Limited statewide name recognition outside the education world
- −Polling near the bottom of the qualifiers
Where Thurmond stands on the eight issues
Housing & Cost of Living
SupportsPrioritizes deeply-affordable production over market-rate streamlining; supports housing trust funds and community land trusts.
Homelessness
SupportsEmphasizes prevention for families and unhoused students; supports rapid rehousing tied to school stability.
Climate & Environment
Strongly supportsBacks the state climate framework with stronger investment in disadvantaged communities most exposed to pollution.
Healthcare
Strongly supportsMost explicit single-payer supporter besides Steyer; argues a unified system is more efficient and equitable.
Education
Strongly supportsSignature issue. Wants to lock in universal pre-K, raise teacher salary floors, expand mental-health staff in schools, and oppose any school-voucher expansion.
Public Safety
MixedCritical of mass-incarceration approaches; supports community-led safety investment and re-entry funding.
Immigration
Strongly supportsPledges to use state authority to keep federal immigration enforcement out of schools and expand legal-aid funding for students' families.
Economy & Taxes
SupportsSupports progressive tax adjustments to fund education and social services.
