If elected, Thurmond, the state superintendent of public instruction, would be the first Black person to become California's governor. California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and former state Controller Betty Yee, both Democrats, also announced their 2026 bids for governor. Democratic State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who previously said she would run for governor, announced earlier this year that she is running for lieutenant governor. California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued the Chino Valley district over the policy, saying it discriminated against students. The school board later reversed course.

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Persons: —, Tony Thurmond, Thurmond, ”, Eleni Kounalakis, Betty Yee, Fiona Ma, Gavin Newsom, Rob Bonta, Newsom, Harvey Milk Organizations: Tuesday, Democratic, Democratic California Gov, West Contra Costa School Board, Richmond City Council, Politico Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, “ California, California, Richmond, Philadelphia, Southern California, Chino Valley, San Francisco