Tony Thurmond

Tony Thurmond
28th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Assumed office
January 7, 2019
GovernorGavin Newsom
Preceded byTom Torlakson
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 15th district
In office
December 1, 2014 – November 30, 2018
Preceded byNancy Skinner
Succeeded byBuffy Wicks
Personal details
Born
Tony Krajewski Thurmond

(1968-08-21) August 21, 1968 (age 56)
Monterey, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
EducationTemple University (BA)
Bryn Mawr College (MA, MSW)
WebsiteGovernment website

Tony Krajewski Thurmond (born August 21, 1968) is an American politician and educator who is the 28th and current California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Thurmond was narrowly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2018 over his opponent, Marshall Tuck.[1] He was the endorsed candidate of the California Democratic Party and all five 2018 California Teachers of the Year.[2][3] A Democrat, he represented the 15th Assembly district from 2014 to 2018, encompassing the northern East Bay.

Thurmond was a member of the California Legislative Latino Caucus, California Legislative Black Caucus, and California Legislative Jewish Caucus. Prior to being elected to the Assembly in 2014, he was a member of the Richmond City Council, a board member of the West Contra Costa Unified School District, and social services administrator.

Thurmond is the second African American to hold the office of Superintendent, and the fourth African American to win statewide office in California following former Superintendent Wilson Riles, former Lieutenant Governor Mervyn Dymally, and former Attorney General and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris.

  1. ^ Gammon, Robert. "Tony Thurmond Wins State Superintendent of Schools Race", East Bay Express. November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  2. ^ "California's 5 Statewide Teachers of the Year for 2018 Endorse Tony Thurmond for State Superintendent". No. 17 Oct 2018. YubaNet.com.
  3. ^ "Tony Thurmond Wins California Democratic Party Endorsement in Landslide". 26 February 2018.