Top California schools official Tony Thurmond announces run for governor against Newsom partner

California’s top schools official announced he is running for governor of the Golden State in 2026 in an effort to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA).
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced his gubernatorial run in a video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday.
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I didn’t come from money, power, or influence.I’m running for Governor to be a voice for those who need one — because California may be working for millionaires and billionaires but for the rest of California — we need real change. Join us: https://t.co/lNHuSoTzZO pic.twitter.com/sbsEtt0DzZ
— Tony Thurmond (@TonyThurmond) September 26, 2023

“I didn’t come from money, power, or influence. I’m running for Governor to be a voice for those who need one — because California may be working for millionaires and billionaires but for the rest of California — we need real change,” Thurmond wrote.
The video — featuring clips of former California Govs. Ronald Reagan and Pat Brown, among others — contrasts his life story to previous governors of the Golden State.
Thurmond was elected to his position as superintendent of public instruction in 2018 and 2022 after serv …