CALIFORNIA, USA — California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is running for governor.
Thurmond, who was elected state superintendent in 2018 and again in 2022, announced Tuesday he's starting a campaign for governor in the 2026 election.
"I didn’t come from money, power, or influence," Thurmond wrote in a social media announcement. "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 also served on the West Contra Costa School Board, the Richmond City Council, and California State Assembly.
He joins California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis and California Democratic Party Vice Chair Betty Yee on the growing list of hopefuls.
"There probably will be more because this is an open seat, and it’s anybody’s ballgame,” said Steve Swatt, political analyst.
Swatt said in California the race ultimately comes down to the top two vote getters regardless of party, and he says a crowded democratic field could split the votes.
"Each one would have a lower percentage than you might expect, but one Republican could have enough votes among Republicans to finish second to a Democrat," said Swatt. "In that case, both the Republican and the Democrat would move on to the general election.”
Attorney General Rob Bonta has also signaled he might be interested in running, possibly adding to a diverse field that could make history.
“For example, Betty Yee or Eleni Kounalakis would be the first woman governor in California history. Kounalakis would be the first Greek American governor in California history. Betty Yee would be the first Chinese American governor in California history. Rob Bonta would be the first Filipino American governor in California history. And of course, Tony Thurmond would be the first African-American, so out of those four, and three have already announced, any one of them would break new ground in the state of California,” said Swatt.
However, not everyone is impressed by the current slate of gubernatorial hopefuls.
“These current people that are in the race, if they are going to run off their record, they might as well not run at all because California is really in a bad situation. We’re in a crisis when it comes to homelessness, when it comes to crime, when it comes to affordability,” said former GOP Congressional Candidate Tamika Hamilton.
Hamilton said the state has already made history for wrong the reasons.
“We have the most homeless veterans in the nation. I’m in the military. I have been for the past 20 years, and they’re not giving me hope that, God forbid, something were to ever happen to me that they would help take care of me. Look at how they’re doing the homeless veterans right now," said Hamilton. "I just hope and pray that the voters hold these people to task. Ask for accountability on their current record before they get basically anointed into this seat.”
One thing is certain, the candidates will have plenty to make their case to voters.
"For three years, we are going to see so far three prominent Democrats and likely more campaigning for governor,” said Swatt.
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