Polling Average
30%20%10%0%
27.1%
16.0%
12.5%
12.3%
12.1%
11.1%
9.6%
5.8%
5.7%
5.1%
California Governor primary advancers? (Person)
$8.1M
JUL 2, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleOther
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age57 years old (Aug 21, 1968)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationTemple University (undergraduate degree)
Notable personal detailsTony Krajewski Thurmond is an American politician and educator who has served as California State Superintendent of Public Instruction since January 7, 2019. He previously served on the Richmond City Council, the West Contra Costa Unified School District board, and in the California State Assembly. He attended Temple University and earned two master's degrees at Bryn Mawr College. He has worked as a social worker and in youth-focused programs, including foster-youth support and school-based services.
SourcesShowHide
cde.ca.goven.wikipedia.orgtonythurmond.comvigarchive.sos.ca.govppic.orglatimes.comjoincalifornia.comcbsnews.comfactually.cosfchronicle.comlrl.texas.govcta.orgadmin.cdn.sos.ca.govsupremecourt.govcft.orgcmhacy.orgbititechnika.compacificresearch.orgpolitico.comsacobserver.comcalmatters.digitaldemocracy.orgyahoo.comclimateone.orgapnews.comstocktonia.orgtheievoice.comcalmatters.orgberkeleyside.orgfoxnews.comseattletimes.comwashingtonpost.comaxios.combloomberg.comwikidata.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgballotready.orgnga.orgnass.orghistory.house.govncsl.orgdesaulnier.house.govtorres.house.govdemocrats-homeland.house.govoversight.house.govdocquery.fec.govdocs.house.govcongress.govcruz.senate.govhelp.senate.govfec.govpadilla.senate.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports raising taxes on very wealthy Californians and using that revenue to expand funding for education, affordable housing, healthcare, and direct tax relief/credits for working families; advocates larger public investments in state services and schools.
Healthcare
Supports establishing a state-level single-payer health care system and expanding public health and mental-health services, including strengthening Medi‑Cal funding and increasing access to school-based health and mental health services.
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Immigration & Border
Supports protecting undocumented immigrants from enforcement actions in state spaces (schools and hospitals), backing expanded access to services including healthcare, and advocates for a pathway to citizenship while calling for abolition of ICE. Has sponsored or supported state measures limiting ICE presence on school campuses.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Tony Thurmond has publicly supported protecting the right to abortion and contraception in California, endorsing a state constitutional amendment to secure those rights. He has been described in local reporting as unequivocally pro-choice and has backed state actions to enshrine abortion protections following the erosion of federal protections.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive expansion of renewable energy and climate action while emphasizing a just transition that protects jobs; accepts continued use or adaptation of fossil-fuel infrastructure until clean energy can reliably meet demand.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports reducing gun violence and keeping schools safe through non-weapon interventions such as school-based mental and physical health services and prevention programs; has opposed policies to arm teachers and emphasized training and professional development over gun training in schools.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Tony Thurmond is part of a crowded 2026 California gubernatorial primary field, with no candidate polling above 14% and a tight fight for the top-two spots. Democrats are worried vote-splitting could allow two Republicans to advance under the top-two primary system. In response, the California Democratic Party is funding a major polling effort starting March 24 that could pressure lower-polling candidates to reconsider staying in the race.
cde.ca.gov+51
Articles
SCSanta Clarita Valley Signal3 months ago
Dan Walters | Gubernatorial Field Set; Now What?
Neutral
LALos Angeles Times4 months ago
California governor candidates pitch Democrats at convention
Neutral
SASanta Ana Orange County Register3 months ago
With no clear frontrunner in the race for governor, the California Democratic Party has a new, costly strategy ahead of the primary election
Neutral
SRSanta Rosa Press Democrat3 months ago
With no clear frontrunner in the race for governor, California Democrats have a new, costly strategy ahead of the primary election
Neutral
Polls
California Governor primary advancers? (Person)
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising