(INSIDE CALIFORNIA POLITICS) — As the race for California governor continues to take shape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, Inside California Politics is sitting down with the candidates for in-depth conversations about the biggest issues facing the state and their plans to address them.
California Superintendent Tony Thurmond was one of the first high-profile Democrats to enter the race back in 2023. The former state lawmaker was elected superintendent in 2018 with support from the California Teachers Association and other labor unions. Voters overwhelmingly reelected Thurmond in 2022 despite some criticisms over the state’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic in public schools.
When asked what separates him from other candidates in the crowded field, Thurmond told host Nikki Laurenzo he understands the financial struggles of Californians who can’t afford basic necessities.
“They can’t pay for gas, for housing, for groceries,” Thurmond said. “And so as governor, I will provide Californians a tax credit, a break, so that they get some money in their pocket to cover those costs while we figure out ways to bring costs down in our state.”
Thurmond said he those tax credits would be contingent on a salary threshold as well as an employment requirement and claimed the state budget would cover the costs.
“We’re going to have to make choices in our budget. We’re going to have to prioritize certain things that will be supported and certain things that will have to be cut. And any waste that is existing, we’re going to focus on getting that cut out,” Thurmond said. “I have evidence of companies that sometimes misclassify their employees and aren’t paying completely the amount of taxes that they should be paying.”
While Thurmond declined to name those companies, he said the construction industry is one sector where wage theft runs rampant. Thurmond is also running on the promise of raising the state’s minimum wage, which currently sits at $16.50 an hour.
“We’re taking some time to study where that number should be, but my belief is that at the end of the day, we have to create the conditions that help employers to pay more, not to just set a line and say here’s what the wage is. Government can’t do what employers can do, but we can create the conditions that allow employers to help others,” Thurmond said.
The superintendent touched on the current state of education in California public schools following the pandemic and said he is hopeful about the future. Thurmond said he is pushing for a computer science graduation requirement and a renewed focus on dual-language education programs as well as homeless students.
“[California school districts] are showing tremendous growth in areas like reading and math all across the board,” Thurmond said. “Obviously the pandemic was a major setback for many of our schools, but most of the schools in our state have now reached pre-pandemic levels of student performance, but we can’t stop there. We’ve got to continue to do more.”
Aside from education, Thurmond said one of his top priorities as governor would be addressing the state’s homeowners’ insurance crisis. Major insurers have either left the state or restricted new policies, driven by a combination of escalating natural disasters, rising reconstruction costs, and strict regulations that limit insurers’ ability to adjust rates. Thurmond said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara bears some responsibility for the crisis, but added the governor can do more to set expectations for insurers who choose to do business in the state.
“If they want our business, and California gives a lot of money to businesses and sectors to get going and to be successful, then I’m gonna make sure they hear the expectation — take care of the people of California,” Thurmond said.
On the topic of public safety, Thurmond said he would sign into law a bill that fully funds Proposition 36 despite his opposition to the ballot measure during the 2024 election cycle.
“I will implement it because it’s the will of the people,” Thurmond said. “But I will make some modifications and that means we have to have more substance abuse treatment programs in the community. We can’t count on the jails to take care of those who have substance issues because our jails have drugs in them. That was my main concern about Prop 36. But I’m all for accountability. I’ve had cars stolen, broken into right in front of my home. People are tired of it and there has to be accountability.”
Inside California Politics airs statewide on Nexstar television stations at the following times:
KTLA: Sunday, Oct. 12 at 5:30 a.m.
KRON: Saturday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
KSEE: Saturday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 12 at 8:30 a.m.
KSWB: Sunday, Oct. 12 at 5:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
KGET: Sunday, Oct. 12 at 8:30 a.m.
KTXL: Saturday, Oct. 11 at 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 a.m.
