(Inside California Politics) — In an interview with Inside California Politics host Nikki Laurenzo, Tony Thurmond said he doesn’t put stock in polls that show him trailing in the race for governor. Polls don’t decide elections, California’s state superintendent said — voters do. Los Ange les Times columnist Gustavo Arellano called Thurmond the “MVP” of Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate, but wondered if his strong showing came too late in the race to make a difference. “It’s never too late,” he told Laurenzo this week. “The voters haven’t started voting yet.” The Democratic candidate, who is polling around 1% in several recent polls, says he can’t explain it — but said all he can do is work hard and bring his message to voters. “I’ve been out-polled, out-raised so many times,” Thurmond said. “I’ve been in five races where they said I wouldn’t win, and I won all of them. So let’s make it six.” When asked about attempts by Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks’ to push low-polling candidates out of the race, Thurmond called the effort a waste of time and resources. Thurmond mentioned his background and journey toward political success, which he said contributed to his focus on the economic struggles of working- and middle-class people. Additionally, Thurmond broke from some Democrats and called for a temporary suspension of the gas tax amid rising prices. He said the state needs the revenue but costs are too high. He also discussed his new ad, in which he tells President Donald Trump to “f*** off.” Watch the full interview in the video player at the top of the page. ...read more read less