With Black students in California continuing to face wide gaps in reading, math proficiency, discipline rates, and access to advanced coursework, seven gubernatorial candidates made their case directly to Black families during a statewide education forum hosted by The Sacramento Observer in partnership with California Black Media and the Black in School Coalition.
The virtual forum centered squarely on one question: who can deliver measurable results for Black students?
Moderators pressed candidates on literacy rates, chronic absenteeism, racism in schools, and fiscal instability in districts across the state. In closing statements, each candidate addressed Black families directly, outlining why they believe they are best equipped to lead.
Ian Calderon, a former California Assemblymember and legislative leader who now works as a small business owner, framed his candidacy around experience and insider knowledge of Sacramento’s power structure.
“If you really want change and you really want reform, then the most effective candidate is someone who understands Sacramento and understands where the power structures lie,” Calderon said.
Calderon said he stepped away from political advancement to focus on family and business. As governor, he said, he would prioritize structural reform and ensure families “have confidence in your future here” and in their children’s access to high-quality education.
Matt Mahan, the mayor of San Jose and a former public school teacher, centered his message on accountability and measurable outcomes. Drawing from his upbringing in Watsonville, he said no child should have to struggle for opportunity the way he did.
“I commuted four hours by bus to get a better education,” Mahan said. “Our schools should set up all of our kids for success.”
He pointed to literacy reforms in Mississippi, referred to as the “Mississippi Miracle,” as proof that dramatic improvement is possible.
“It starts with accountability,” he said. “Measuring our progress, adopting best practices, and being relentlessly focused on educational outcomes.”
Jon Slavet, a Republican entrepreneur and founder who has not previously held elected office, described himself as an outsider focused on shaking up the system.
He called for expanded parental choice, more direct financial control for families, reforms to teacher tenure, and stronger vocational pathways for students not pursuing UC or CSU routes.
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result,” he added.
Tony Thurmond, California’s current state superintendent of public instruction, said closing the achievement gap requires political will and sustained investment.
“You can’t tell me that we can send someone to the moon and that we cannot close the achievement gap,” Thurmond said.
He highlighted accomplishments during his tenure, including universal transitional kindergarten for four-year-olds, universal school meals, and $6 billion invested in internet access during the pandemic. Looking ahead, he pledged to continue a five-year literacy plan focused on third-grade reading proficiency, expand housing to address homelessness, recruit more teachers trained in the science of reading, and invest $500 million in college and career readiness programs.
Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles and a longtime civil rights advocate, pointed to his history of education reform efforts in the state’s largest city.
“Why am I the best person to address Black achievement? Because I’ve been doing it my whole life,” Villaraigosa said.
He referenced his efforts to intervene in Los Angeles schools despite not having formal oversight authority as mayor. “A great school district has to anchor a great city,” he said, pledging to continue fighting to close racial achievement gaps across the state.
Doctor Butch Ware, a professor at UC Santa Barbara and former Green Party vice presidential nominee, positioned himself as the only candidate outside the two major political parties.
Ware argued that corporate-backed Democrats and Republicans have failed Black students and called for a “Black liberation agenda.” Ware urged voters to support a third-party alternative and said meaningful change would require breaking from the existing political structure.
“With the support of our community, we can bring a Black liberation agenda to Sacramento and fundamentally change what education looks like for our children,” said Ware.
Betty Yee, former California state controller and longtime statewide fiscal officer, closed by focusing on long-term investment and economic equity. Describing herself as the daughter of immigrants and a lifelong underdog, she acknowledged the state’s looming budget challenges.
“We’re not going to be able to cut our way out of it. We’re not going to be able to tax our way out of it,” Yee said. “But we can start investing and reinvesting in our people.”
She told families who feel exhausted or overlooked that she would continue fighting to expand opportunity and help students exceed expectations.
The forum concluded with organizers urging participation in the June 2 primary election. More than 200 viewers joined online in addition to an invited in-studio audience.
While candidates offered differing strategies, each agreed that improving outcomes for Black students will be a defining test for California’s next governor.
