LOS ANGELES — The California State Association of Electrical Workers (CSAEW), which represents 83,000 skilled union electrical workers, is endorsing former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon’s run for California Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“During his leadership of the Assembly, Anthony has shown that he understands the significance of safe working conditions and fair wages and has successfully fought for them time and time again,” said CSAEW Secretary-Treasurer John Doherty. “We’re backing him for Superintendent of Public Instruction because we know he will empower our members and strengthen our communities.”

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

“The future of education in California requires modernizing school facilities to create safe and inspiring learning environments for our students,” said Anthony Rendon. “This starts with investing in a skilled and trained workforce that brings these projects to life, bolstering vocational education and apprenticeship opportunities, and making sure young people have the skills and training necessary for high-demand jobs. Working with IBEW, we can empower the next generation to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.”

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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