Tony Thurmond

Candidates stand at podiums on a stage during a televised debate titled “The Race for California Governor.” A large screen in the foreground displays a close-up of one candidate speaking with live captions visible.

Politics

The field is set: Meet the candidates officially running for California governor

Eight Democrats and two Republicans have filed officially to run for California governor by the Friday deadline. The crowded field could give GOP candidates a boost.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• March 6, 2026

Students sit on desks in a classroom as a door on the far left side of the room is partially open.

Commentary

Newsom wants to overhaul state oversight of California schools. Will students benefit?

Gov. Gavin Newsom dropped a brief and vaguely worded section into his State of the State address earlier this month, suggesting an overhaul of how California’s vast public education system is managed. “It’s long overdue that we modernize the management of our educational system,” Newsom said, “and so in the budget I’ll be submitting tomorrow, […]

By

Dan Walters

• January 23, 2026

K-12 Education

Schools chief was caught off guard by Newsom’s plan to pare down the future scope of his job

Newsom proposed shifting oversight of the Department of Education from the superintendent to the State Board of Education. The move would concentrate more power over K-12 schools with the governor, who appoints the school board.

By

Carolyn Jones

• January 8, 2026

Moderators watch as candidates stand at podiums on a stage during a televised debate.

Politics

Who’s running for California governor? Here’s a look at the official field of candidates

A few moments of controversy have touched an otherwise sleepy, wide open race to be California’s next governor.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• December 2, 2025

Four speakers sit onstage in armchairs for a moderated panel discussion, with an audience watching from the foreground. Behind them are purple backdrops reading “Health Matters” and “La Salud Importa,” lit by spotlights.

Health

They want to be California’s next governor. Here’s what they’d do about health care

What will California’s next governor do about health care? Four Democrats in the race say answering the Trump Administration’s cuts and making care affordable is important. But they disagree about how to pay for that.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• November 14, 2025

A person stands in front of a lectern while speaking into a microphone. A tall velvet curtain can be seen behind them. The lectern includes a sign on the front that includes the words "#CaliforniaForAll" and "College Corps." The person wears a black suit with a light purple shirt and a yellow and blue striped tie.

Politics

California’s schools chief has a $200,000 salary and a side gig

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has regularly worked side jobs at Bay Area nonprofits to earn extra income because he says the state pay is insufficient.

By

Alexei Koseff

• April 2, 2025

A person walks alone across a cracked asphalt surface toward the charred remains of a burned-down structure. The debris is scattered, with only remnants of buildings and a green dumpster nearby. In the background, rugged mountains rise beneath a partly cloudy sky, with a few trees standing amid the destruction. The scene conveys a sense of loss and recovery.

Commentary

California leaders need to keep their promises to the schools affected by LA fires

More than 100 Pasadena teachers, many who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, recently received layoff notices. A teacher reflects on promises by the state superintendent to ensure districts are "held harmless" after the fires.

By Manuel Rustin • March 19, 2025

Four people stand on a stage behind individual podiums, each of them holding one hand up in the air in front of an audience at a governor candidate forum. Blue, red and gray lights illuminate the stage curtains the background.

Politics

Candidates for California governor mostly agree as they face off two years before the election

Four Democrats running for governor in 2026 answer questions before the National Union of Healthcare Workers, even before California voters have their November 2024 ballots. Tony Thurmond won a non-binding straw poll.

By

Alexei Koseff

• September 29, 2024

State Senate leader Toni Atkins kicked off her gubernatorial campaign with an event in San Diego on Jan. 19, 2024. Photo by Bryan Giardinelli, Breathe New Winds

Politics

California picks its next governor in more than 1,000 days. Why the race is already so crowded

More than two years until the first votes are cast, Senate leader Toni Atkins becomes the fourth big-name Democrat to jump into the governor's race. She is seeking to become the first female and openly gay chief executive.

By

Alexei Koseff

• January 19, 2024

The Assembly floor at the state Capitol on June 1, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

WhatMatters

California Legislature beats deadline on key bills

Today’s the deadline for bills to pass their first house in the California Legislature. The vast majority made it. A few failed. And a handful of intriguing bills that didn’t pass may resurface because their authors aren’t giving up. Police dogs: On Wednesday, a bill that would curb the use of police dogs failed to […]

By

Lynn La

• June 2, 2023