Rendon Returns to Roots in Education After Two Decade Career in Early Childhood Education & Historic Tenure as Assembly Speaker

LOS ANGELES — Former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon today announced his campaign for California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction – launching a bid focused on confronting the youth mental health crisis, rebuilding the state’s early childhood education system, and defending California schools from growing threats out of Washington, D.C.

“It was cuts to education programs during the Schwarzenegger Administration that first drove me into politics. After my time in the Assembly, having the opportunity to serve California’s students, educators, and families feels like a return to my roots,” Rendon said. “Over the course of this campaign, I’ll be making the case for why my experience, proven leadership, and unshakeable belief in the life changing power of education make me the best person to lead California’s schools into the future.”

A vision for the future of education

In his last year in the Assembly, Rendon studied the issue of happiness and found an alarming decline in youth happiness and rise in emotional distress, especially among young women. A major contributor to this crisis is technology that’s reshaping how kids learn and how they struggle. In the Assembly, Rendon backed legislation to restrict smartphone use in classrooms and as Superintendent will work with educators and school leaders on policies on how generative AI tools are used in schools.

“We can’t ignore the reality: phones and social media have harmed both learning and student wellbeing. And now, AI tools are allowing students to bypass developing the critical thinking skills they need for life,” said Rendon. “We need thoughtful, proactive leadership to ensure AI enhances education rather than erodes it, as well as well-trained teachers with the resources they need to help students reach their full potential.”

Before serving in the Assembly, Rendon spent two decades working in early education, seeing firsthand how young children and their families relied on state preschool programs run by the California Department of Education. He will be looking toward the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education that he convened as Speaker to guide his work in overhauling and strengthening California’s approach to early education.

Another top priority in Rendon’s platform is addressing the fragmentation in California’s education system. Too often, policies for early education, K-12, and higher education operate in silos, leaving students unsupported during key transitions.

“California needs a cradle-to-career approach that breaks down silos and builds a coherent education system. When systems don’t talk to each other, kids fall through the cracks,” Rendon said.

Rendon also warned that the stakes of this election are higher than ever. Donald Trump and his allies have proposed eliminating Head Start and abolishing the U.S. Department of Education – moves that would be catastrophic for California’s children and educators.

“I’ve stood up to the MAGA agenda before, and I’ll do it again,” said Rendon. “As Speaker, I helped lead the fight to defend Californians from Trump’s first-term attacks. As Superintendent, I’ll be a firewall between our schools and whatever chaos comes out of Washington.”

Broad coalition of support

Rendon enters the race with nearly $900,000 cash on hand, as well as the endorsements from a diverse coalition of leaders around the state, including:

• Congresswoman Judy Chu

• Congressman Kevin Mullin

• Congresswoman Luz Rivas

• Congresswoman Laura Friedman

• State Senator Sabrina Cervantes

• State Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes

• Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Josh Lowenthal

• Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula

• Assemblymember Mike Gipson

• Assemblymember Gregg Hart

• Assemblymember Chris Ward

• Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (ret.)

• Assemblymember Mike Eng (ret.)

• Riverside County Supervisor Jose Medina

• Cudahy City Councilmember Martin Fuentes

• Monterey Park City Councilmember Thomas Wong

• Monterey Park City Councilmember Henry Lo

• Paramount City Councilmember Annette Delgadillo

• San Gabriel City Councilmember Tony Ding

• Bell City Councilmember Fidencio Gallardo (ret.)

• Sierra Madre City Councilmember Rachelle Pastor Arizmendi (ret.)

• Alhambra Unified School District Board Member Robert “Bob” Gin

• Bellflower Unified School District President Amie Stewart

• Paramount Unified School District Board Member Diane Martinez

Rendon returns to roots in education

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 local public schools.

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

Contact: Kevin Liao, kdliao@gmail.com

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