In a wide-ranging conversation with ethnic media, candidate Tony Thurmond detailed plans to abolish ICE, implement single-payer healthcare, tax billionaires, and expand housing supply, framing affordability and equity as central pillars of his campaign for California governor.
A California native and current Superintendent of Public Instruction, Thurmond framed his campaign as a collective effort to “build a better California,” highlighting a proposal to construct two million housing units by 2030 while expanding access to quality jobs and public services. His policy priorities, he noted, are rooted in lived experience, including growing up in a low-income household after losing his mother at a young age.
Immigration: abolishing ICE and creating pathways to citizenship
Immigration emerged as one of the most forceful components of Thurmond’s platform. He reiterated his position as the first gubernatorial candidate in the race to call for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing that the agency has failed to fulfill its intended purpose.
Thurmond proposed working with Congress to dismantle ICE and replace it with a more humane and effective system. He also outlined state-level measures, including legislation to keep ICE out of schools and hospitals and a proposed tax on companies operating detention centers in California. According to Thurmond, these policies aim to curb what he described as the “profit-driven” nature of current immigration enforcement.
In parallel, he advocated for establishing a clear pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, emphasizing their economic contributions and role in key industries such as agriculture and construction. He also pledged to restore healthcare access for undocumented residents and protect their rights under state law.
Healthcare and affordability: Single-payer system and economic relief
On healthcare, Thurmond strongly endorsed a single-payer system, positioning it as a necessary shift to prioritize patients over profits. Drawing from personal experience, including the loss of his brother due to lack of insurance, he argued that universal coverage would reduce systemic inequities and improve outcomes across the state.
He also addressed the impact of federal policy changes, particularly cuts affecting Medi-Cal and Affordable Care Act coverage, committing to work with Congress to reverse these measures and expand access for vulnerable populations.
Affordability, a central concern for Californians, was another key focus. Thurmond proposed implementing a tax on billionaires to fund tax credits for working- and middle-class residents, providing immediate financial relief amid rising living costs. He acknowledged that while the state cannot directly lower prices, it can create conditions to ease economic pressure through targeted policies.
His long-term affordability strategy includes increasing housing supply through a $10 billion bond initiative and leveraging surplus public land to accelerate development. Additionally, he proposed down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, rent control measures, and penalties for corporations that hold vacant properties for speculation.
Education, workforce, and economic development
Beyond the core topics, Thurmond emphasized education as a fundamental right, including for undocumented children. He pledged to protect access to free public education and expand opportunities through dual enrollment programs and workforce development initiatives.
He also highlighted proposals such as the “Pay It Forward” tuition model, which would allow students to defer college costs until after graduation, and a universal childcare program aimed at supporting working families while stimulating economic growth.
To strengthen California’s economy, Thurmond underscored the importance of small businesses, proposing reduced bureaucratic barriers, financial support programs, and increased access to state contracts. He also expressed support for a national wealth tax to prevent capital flight and ensure sustainable funding for public services.
Closing the session, Thurmond reaffirmed his commitment to remain in the gubernatorial race despite polling challenges, arguing that voter engagement—not early polling—will determine the outcome. He called on media outlets to amplify policy discussions, positioning his campaign as a platform focused on structural reform and long-term equity for California’s diverse communities.
Know your candidate: Tony Thurmond
Tony Thurmond’s trajectory into public leadership is rooted in a markedly different upbringing from many of California’s political figures. The son of an immigrant mother from Panama, Thurmond experienced early hardship after losing his mother to cancer at age six. He and his brother were raised by a cousin in Philadelphia, navigating poverty, food insecurity, and reliance on public assistance.
Despite these challenges, education became a turning point. Supported by mentors and teachers, Thurmond pursued higher education at Temple University, where he served as student body president while working multiple jobs to sustain himself. He later earned two master’s degrees from Bryn Mawr College.
His early professional path as a social worker shaped his long-term commitment to public service, particularly in supporting vulnerable youth. Thurmond developed programs focused on transitional housing for foster youth, school-based mental health, and youth civic engagement.
These experiences informed his political career, which spans roles on the West Contra Costa School Board, Richmond City Council, and California State Assembly. In 2018, he was elected California State Superintendent of Public Instruction and re-elected in 2022, leading initiatives such as universal preschool expansion, statewide school meals, and increased mental health funding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A longtime resident of Contra Costa County, Thurmond is supported by his wife Vanessa and their daughters, Maya and Jayden. His campaign reflects a consistent focus on expanding opportunity through education, economic access, and social support systems.