Deep-pocketed Tuck leads Thurmond in fierce battle

Billionaire-backed political newcomer Marshall Tuck held the lead in the hotly contested race for California’s school superintendent Tuesday.

Tuck had 52 percent of the vote to Tony Thurmond’s 48 percent, with more than half of the votes still uncounted. Takeaway: In past elections, the endorsement from the California Teachers Association has propelled candidates to victory. Thurmond had the union’s backing this year, but the ostensibly nonpartisan race turned into a costly ideological struggle between labor and advocates of education reform. Both candidates are Democrats. The superintendent’s power lies in persuading lawmakers and the Board of Education to enact changes. Background: The contest was contentious and costly, with record spending in the campaign exceeding $50 million. The two ran against each other in the June primary, with Tuck coming out on top.

Tuck was backed by deep-pocketed education reformers, including Gap co-founder Doris Fisher and philanthropist and education reformer Eli Broad. Between direct contributions to his campaign and outside committees, his campaign leveraged $37 million.

Thurmond, who had the backing of the education establishment and the powerful teachers union, had less than half that, with $15 million combined in direct contributions and support from outside committees.

Tuck campaigned as an outsider, calling for “real change” in the state education system. He supported giving traditional public schools the same kind of flexibility in scheduling and hiring that charter schools have. He opposed a moratorium on charter school growth, but promised to increase accountability among the alternative public schools.

Thurmond, a state assemblyman representing Richmond, campaigned as the candidate who would stand up to the Trump administration on issues related to student debt and civil rights. He also said that his experience in Sacramento would allow him to sponsor legislation related to his top priorities, including the cost of college, literacy and universal preschool.