California Democrats Duke It Out for Schools Chief

The Governor of California appoints the State Board of Education, which sets policy. The job of implementation goes to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, a nonpartisan officer who’s elected statewide.

Former Democratic Assemblyman Tom Torlakson is the incumbent, running for a second 4-year term. Challenger Marshall Tuck left the financial sector to become head of the Green Dot Charter Schools in Los Angles and then lead Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s Partnership for Education.