Endorsements
Statewide Primary Election Endorsements
June 7, 2022
The CFT interviews candidates to determine those most committed and capable of championing the interests of educators and classified employees locally and in the State Capitol. When the union finds true supporters of member interests, the union endorses them. Our endorsements for the Statewide Primary Election on June 7 are listed below and available as a download.
CFT endorses re-election of Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond
Statewide Primary Election – June 7, 2022
The CFT is proud to endorse Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond for his re-election campaign. Superintendent Thurmond has been a champion for public schools and our school communities and has proved to be an unwavering fighter for students, teachers, and classified professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CFT endorses David Miller, Jose Luis Pacheco for CalPERS Board
Voting period — August 27 to September 27, 2021
Election Results: On October 1, CalPERS announced that CFT-supported candidates David Miller and Jose Luis Pacheco were elected to the CalPERS Board. Read our press release.
No on the recall of Governor Gavin Newsom
Recall Election – September 14, 2021
Election Results: The recall of Governor Newsom was resoundingly defeated by voters.
CFT emphatically opposes the campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom
CFT President Jeff Freitas blasted the recall campaign as being out of touch with California values and an expensive waste of time.
CFT endorses Mia Bonta for East Bay Assembly seat
Special Election – August 31, 2021
Election Results: Mia Bonta was elected to the California Assembly.
A special election for Assembly District 18, representing the East Bay of the San Francisco bay region, is currently underway. This seat was vacated earlier this year when the governor appointed Rob Bonta to be California attorney general.
The CFT has endorsed Mia Bonta to be the next assemblymember for this district.
CFT endorses Isaac Bryan for Los Angeles Assembly seat
Special Election – May 18, 2021
Election Results: Isaac Bryan was elected to the California Assembly.
Isaac Bryan, a leading community organizer and policy activist in Los Angeles and advocate for Black and brown Angelenos, is running for Assembly District 54 in a Special Election.
CFT endorses Sydney Kamlager for Los Angeles state senator
Special Election – March 2, 2020
Election Results: Sydney Kamlager was elected to the California Senate.
The CFT has endorsed Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager in the Special Election for Senate District 30, which will be held on March 2. The district includes Downtown Los Angeles, Culver City, parts of Inglewood, and several other LA neighborhoods.
General Election 2020
November 3, 2020 • How to be a smart voter during the pandemic
NEW THIS YEAR! Due to the pandemic, mail-in ballots were mailed to every registered voter in California. The ballots went out in early October. Use this summary guide to assist you in voting this year.
- Download the CFT Endorsement Sheet
- Analysis from the California Labor Federation
- Analysis from the Labor Federation
- Analysis from the Labor Federation
- Analysis from the Labor Federation
- Analysis from the Labor Federation
- Analysis from the Labor Federation
- Analysis from the Labor Federation
- Find our endorsements here
Presidential Primary Election 2020
Statewide Primary – March 3, 2020
California will hold its first March Primary Election this year due to the Legislature moving the statewide primary forward from June so that Californians can have a greater say nationally. You may find CFT endorsements below. Your vote matters now more than ever!
General Election 2018
November 6, 2018 • CFT recommends Thurmond for State Superintendent & Newsom for Governor
- Get endorsements on your phone, tailored to your local ballot, from The Educators Choice online voter guide.
- Download the CFT Endorsement Sheet containing the union’s recommendations for California statewide offices, ballot measures, and legislative races, or find them below.
Tony Thurmond for Superintendent of Public Instruction
General Election – November 6, 2018
The CFT endorses Richmond Assemblymember Tony Thurmond for state superintendent of public instruction. President Josh Pechthalt said Thurmond, a former social worker, has demonstrated “time and again he is a champion of public education. His policy positions solidly align him with the needs of students, parents, and educators.”
Gavin Newsom for Governor
General Election – November 6, 2018
The CFT has endorsed Gavin Newsom for the state’s top office. Newsom has an impressive track record of public service as the current lieutenant governor of California and the former mayor of San Francisco.
Newsom presents a clear progressive vision for our state anchored by fully funded and supported public schools. He has articulated a willingness to continue local control, hold charter schools accountable, and identify further sources of stable revenue to fund public education and vital social services.
Primary Election 2018
June 5, 2018 • CFT endorses Thurmond for State Superintendent and Newsom for Governor
- Get endorsements on your phone, tailored to your local ballot, from The Educators Choice online voter guide.
- Download the CFT Endorsement Sheet containing the union’s recommendations for California statewide offices, ballot measures, and legislative races, or find them here in our Endorsements section.