The vote totals have been growing.
The last report, published by the Secretary of State at 4:59 pm PST, shows a big increase for Tony Thurmond. His total is now nearly 160,000 more than Tuck’s.
https://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/superintendent-of-public-instruction
This is nearly a two-point lead.
The charter billionaires spent twice as much on Tuck’s campaign as Thurmond received, mostly from teachers and unions.
Passion beats money. Not always. But maybe in this race.
Wow!!
Diane Ravitch's blog 
The tide be a’turnin’.
Such positive news!!
Although the absentee and provisional ballots in Tuck’s bastions (San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties) still favor that faux-Democrat, they have slid closer to the 50/50 mark (were about 65/35 before). Those counties have 219,000, 178,000, 79,000 and 156,000 votes left and account for all of Tuck’s remaining support [the effect of the numerous tiny counties are insignificant at this point.]
Tuck’s regions are overwhelmed by Alameda, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Sonoma and San Mateo Counties, with 128,000, 422,000, 34,000, 36,000, 66,000 and 144,000 votes, respectively.
It’s over, and I predict that Thurmond will declare victory on Monday.
I hope so!
Well I guess that tells us how much Charter Schools mean to the billionaire club! Thanks so much for all you do!
Eddie Haskell did not fool enough voters to steal the election! Victory for democracy and for all the grass roots activists who shared the importance of this race with their friends and neighbors.
Knock on wood … that the gap continues to widen.
How much did they lose backing Tuck in 2016?
For those NOT in California, the campaign mounted by The Billionaires was slick, ubiquitous, and extremely misleading and underhanded. It would restore my faith in the intelligence of the American voter to see Tuck lose.
and restore many people’s faith in dedicated activism
Even if Thurmond wins it will not restore my faith in American voters as a whole but it will reaffirm my faith in California’s voters who voted almost 2 to 1 against Trump in 2016 and voted against Tuck in 2014, when it was Tuck vs Torlakson for the same position.
Education
California’s biggest race will surprise you: It’s for state school superintendent
By Lyndsey Layton – Washington Post (behind a pay wall)
November 3, 2014
Perhaps the most important — and definitely the most expensive — election in California on Tuesday is the down-ballot battle for state school superintendent. The $30 million race has generated three times as much spending as the contest for governor, with money pouring in from across the country.
“The two men spent a combined $4.82 million on their race (Tuck slightly more than Torlakson), but the real money was spent by groups who saw the schools chief race as a proxy for everything from debates over teacher tenure to charter schools and more.
The pro-Tuck independent group, financed by a handful of wealthy self-described education reformers, spent just north of $10 million. Put it all together, and you have a $22.6 million fight over a position that doesn’t actually have full control over California’s education policy and rules.”
https://www.kqed.org/news/10422839/californias-2014-statewide-campaigns-top-226-million
If Tuck returns in 2022, how much will his Alt-Right, privileged, power crazed, conservative autocratic billionaires be willing to spend to get him elected then – they went from more than $10 million in 2014 to $30 million or more in 2018? Will they find another candidate to back or support Tuck again and spend $60 million or more?
I hope Tony Thurmond figures out a way to diminish the invidious effects of the testing and Common Core. CA needs to reject the hollow slogans of the 21st Century Skills movement and return to traditional, tried-and-true education, by which I mean knowledge-building, ignorance-busting curriculum and subject-area teachers who know how to “stand and deliver” their stimulating and empowering knowledge.
The oligarchs want the other 99% to read only enough to follow orders, not question. The oligarchs want the other 99% to write only to sign on the dotted line.
Thus the Common Gore & Testing.
You may be right, but why do the pedagogy “experts” in my union support Common Core? Why do the education schools and professional organizations preach 21st Century Skills snake oil and unproven methodologies and bash real, honest teaching? I think misguided groupthink is a bigger culprit than cynical class warfare.
Tony Wins!!!
https://www.eastbayexpress.com/SevenDays/archives/2018/11/16/tony-thurmond-wins-state-superintendent-of-schools-race
That article isn’t supported by any evidence. Nevertheless, it is correct.
More good news in Arizona!
Kathy Hoffman, a Phoenix speech therapist who works in the public schools, was elected superintendent. The impetus for her campaign? Betsy DeVos.
https://gritpost.com/arizonas-new-chief-educator-inspired-to-run-by-betsy-devos-lack-of-experience/
Kathy Hoffman won a great victory over a former charter operator and former Congressman from California who boasted that he was endorsed by the rightwing Heritage Foundation. She was endorsed by NPE. She is a speech pathologist who worked in public schools.
Thurmond’s twitter says that Tuck has called to congratulate him.