Tony Thurmond

Tony Krajewski Thurmond (born August 21, 1968) is an American politician serving as the 28th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a member of the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2018.

Early life and education Thurmond was born on August 21, 1968, in Monterey, California. His mother, an immigrant from Panama, died when he was six years old, and his father did not return after serving in the Vietnam War.

Following his mother’s death, Thurmond and his younger brother moved to Philadelphia where they were raised by cousins they had not previously met.

Political career Prior to being elected to the Assembly in 2014, he was a member of the Richmond City Council.

Thurmond was a member of the California Legislative Latino Caucus, California Legislative Black Caucus, and California Legislative Jewish Caucus.

Since 2004, Thurmond has pursued seven different elected offices: he ran unsuccessfully for Richmond City Council in 2004, was elected to the Richmond City Council in 2006, lost an election for State Assembly in 2008, won an election to the West Contra Costa School Board in 2008, created an exploratory committee for a potential State Senate campaign in 2009, was elected to the State Assembly in 2014, was re-elected to the State Assembly in 2016, and announced his campaign for State Superintendent in 2017.

Legislative record

Thurmond's bills have adjusted court fine incarceration credits for inflation, required the California Air Resources Board to reduce methane emissions, protected due process rights for immigrant defendants, expanded tobacco restrictions on school property, and shifted funds from the prison system to local school districts to reduce truancy.

On September 15, 2017, Thurmond introduced a resolution in the California State Assembly calling for the Congressional censure of President Donald Trump following his remarks after racially charged events in Charlottesville.

State Assembly committees From 2015 to 2016, Thurmond was a member of the following committees: Labor and Employment Committee, Chair Education Committee Health Committee Human Services Committee

Select committees

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education, Chair Status of Boys and Men of Color Technical Education and Building a 21st Century Workforce

State Superintendent On April 3, 2017, Thurmond launched his campaign for State Superintendent, choosing not to run for re-election for his seat in the State Assembly. His campaign was supported by California's teachers' unions.

On December 11, 2021, Politico reported that Thurmond had been instrumental in the July 2020 hiring of longtime associate Daniel Lee, "a psychologist, life coach and self-help author", for the position of "superintendent of equity" for the California Department of Education (CDE). Politico reported that the hiring of Lee, a Philadelphia resident up to when the report was published, appeared to violate California's residency requirement for state employees, which allows for few exceptions. On December 14, 2021, Lee resigned from the position.

2026 California gubernatorial campaign On September 26, 2023, Thurmond announced via Twitter his run for governor of California in 2026, however ultimately placed 8th in the primary.

Personal life Thurmond was introduced to Judaism by his cousins who practiced Hebrew Pentecostalism, and he maintains a connection to Jewish practice and community, guided by Rabbi Rebekah Stern of Congregation Beth El in Berkeley, California. He has two daughters.

Electoral history 2014

2016

2018

2022

2026