Tony Thurmond, California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, has been supplementing his $200,000 salary with side jobs at Bay Area nonprofits. According to CalMatters, Thurmond has worked part-time for four nonprofits since his election in 2018, including as director of the Berkeley Food Pantry, where he earned between $10,001 and $100,000 last year.
While legal, Thurmond’s side jobs are unusual for someone in statewide office. He argues that his state salary is insufficient to meet his family’s needs, including supporting his children and relatives with health issues. Thurmond, who is running for governor in 2026, maintains that his outside work does not conflict with his duties as superintendent.
Critics, however, question how Thurmond balances his responsibilities. Sean McMorris of California Common Cause expressed concerns about the potential ethical implications, noting that elected officials are expected to focus full-time on their public roles. Thurmond insists that his nonprofit work is similar to his previous roles in local government and emphasizes his commitment to making a difference.
During his tenure, Thurmond has also been active in addressing educational challenges. Recently, he visited Southern California schools affected by wildfires to assess damage and secure resources for recovery, as reported by Post News Group. His efforts include partnerships to provide temporary housing and educational materials for impacted communities.
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