LOS ANGELES — The California Professional Firefighters are endorsing former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon’s run for California Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“Californians have always recognized the critical role firefighters play in keeping our communities safe – an appreciation that has only deepened in recent years as wildfires have become increasingly common across our state,” said Brian K. Rice, President, California Professional Firefighters. “The next generation of firefighters will be trained in California's public schools, which is why we need a strong, tested leader like Anthony Rendon who will advocate for students no matter what career path they pursue.”

The California Professional Firefighters join a number of statewide unions – including SEIU California, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Teamsters California and California State Council of Laborers – that have endorsed Rendon in the SPI race.

About Anthony Rendon

Rendon spent two decades running preschool and early childhood education programs across the state. As executive director of Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, he oversaw programs serving more than 2,300 children across 35 child development centers located throughout Los Angeles County, providing comprehensive early education, health, and family support services to underserved communities.

Later, Rendon pivoted to politics – motivated to run for the state legislature to reverse severe budget cuts to early childhood education programs imposed during Governor Schwarzenegger’s tenure. In 2012, he won a seat representing Southeast Los Angeles County in the Assembly and in 2016 was elected by his colleagues to serve as Speaker of the Assembly.

As Speaker from 2016 to 2023, Rendon led during a historic time for California’s schools. He negotiated state budgets that increased K-12 investments by 80%, shepherded groundbreaking legislation to strengthen transparency and accountability for charter schools, increased access to early childhood education by helping to create universal pre-k, and worked to maintain California’s role as a national leader in higher education. 

Rendon lives in Southeast Los Angeles County, where his daughter attends a local public school.

Learn more about Rendon’s campaign at anthonyrendon.org. 

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