Teachers and school workers also congratulate Gavin Newsom, California’s next governor

The California Federation of Teachers celebrated the election of Tony Thurmond for State Superintendent of Public Instruction on Saturday as a resounding call by voters to protect public education. Fighting the headwinds of unprecedented spending by a handful of billionaires and mega-donors

Teachers and classified workers celebrate Tony Thurmond victory for State Superintendent of Public Instruction

in support of Marshall Tuck, Thurmond ran a campaign based on investing in all public schools and supporting all students.

“We congratulate Tony Thurmond on his hard fought victory,” says CFT President Josh Pechthalt. “California voters saw through all of the mudslinging and misinformation pushed by a small group of billionaires, and wisely decided to elect a lifelong advocate for at-risk students and a firm believer in the power and promise of public education.”

The 120,000 strong union of teachers and school workers say they are eager to work with Tony as he is set to lead California’s public schools, including advocating for more more funding for the underfunded public school system, standing up to the U.S. Department of Education under Betsy DeVos, and making sure that charter schools are held to the same standards of transparency and accountability as traditional public schools.

“With his experience helping at-risk students and his lifelong commitment to public education, Tony Thurmond is ready to get work on day one to help our schools,” continues Pechthalt. “We are looking forward to working with him to ensure that all students receive a quality public education, and that charter schools are held to the same standards of accountability and transparency as our public schools.”

The California Federation of Teachers also sends warm congratulations to California’s Governor-elect Gavin Newsom. Newsom, and his positive and inclusive vision for California, handily defeated John Cox and his bitter efforts to divide the state.

“Gavin Newsom ran an incredible campaign, based on investing in our schools and our communities, and standing up to the White House,” says CFT President Josh Pechthalt. “We were particularly impressed by his advocacy for early childhood education and look forward to working with him over the next four years to ensure that our students and communities have the world class public education system they deserve.”

The California Federation of Teachers represents 120,000 teachers, faculty, and school employees in public and private schools and colleges, from early childhood through higher education. It is the statewide affiliate of the AFT. More information at www.cft.org.