The current California State Superintendent, Tony Thurmond, is running for Governor and multiple Democrats have declared themselves
candidates in the race to replace him in 2026.
It is early in the race and there hasn’t been a lot of coverage yet, but the club will have an opportunity to hear from some of the
candidates at our February meeting.
We have invited all of these Democrats to speak to our club ahead of our endorsement vote. At least three have RSVP’d: Richard Barrera,
Nichelle Henderson, and Josh Newman. We are waiting to hear from the other two. Our club VPs have prepared questions for the
candidates.
The Candidates are listed below. Click on their names to view their websites:
1) Former President of the San Diego Unified School District Richard Barrera
2) Los Angeles Community College Trustee Nichelle Henderson
3) CA State Assemblymember/Chair of the Education Caucus Al Muratsuchi
4) Former CA State Senator Josh
Newman
5) Former CA State Assemblymember and Assembly Speaker (2016-2023) Anthony Rendon
However, you can watch the video and check out all of these candidates in a recorded forum conducted by the CADEM Children’s Caucus
that took place November 3, 2025 (before Andra Hoffman dropped out of the race)