California superintendent of public instruction race: Live election results

June 3, 2026 - 01:40

The June 2 primary election in California is set to narrow the field for the state's top education job, with voters deciding which two candidates will move on to the general election for superintendent of public instruction. This nonpartisan position oversees the state's Department of Education and manages policies affecting nearly six million students across K-12 schools.

Several candidates are vying for the role, including incumbent Tony Thurmond, who is seeking a second term. His challengers include educators and policy advocates who have focused on issues like pandemic learning loss, school funding equity, and curriculum debates. The primary will serve as a key test of voter sentiment on how the state has handled recent education challenges, from remote learning to teacher shortages.

Because the race is officially nonpartisan, all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will advance to the November runoff. Early returns and mail-in ballots are expected to shape the outcome, as California has increasingly shifted to vote-by-mail elections. Final results may take days to certify, but initial counts will give a clear picture of which candidates have the momentum heading into the fall.