Tony Thurmond | |
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28th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
Assumed office January 7, 2019 | |
Governor | Gavin Newsom |
Preceded by | Tom Torlakson |
Member of the California State Assembly from the 15th district | |
In office December 1, 2014 – November 30, 2018 | |
Preceded by | Nancy Skinner |
Succeeded by | Buffy Wicks |
Personal details | |
Born | Tony Krajewski Thurmond August 21, 1968 Monterey, California, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Children | 2 |
Education | Temple University (BA) Bryn Mawr College (MA, MSW) |
Website | Government 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.