The Public Policy Institute of California released its Californians and Education survey today, and found that former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon tested strongest out of the candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

The poll found Rendon tied for first among all candidates at 9%. Even more telling, Rendon is the only candidate to have double-digit support among Democratic voters (15%) – indicating his ballot designation and message is best suited for Democrats likely to turn out in the primary election. 

With just weeks until ballots drop, Rendon is the only candidate with serious financial resources to get his message out. He reported nearly $1 million cash on hand at the last reporting period, plus raised an additional $150,000 since. No other candidate has even half of that on hand. 

Last weekend, the California Republican Party endorsed Chino Valley school board member Sonja Shaw for SPI, which will likely coalesce the GOP vote for Shaw and earn her a spot in the runoff.

Democrats need a strong, tested leader to face her and her extreme MAGA platform in the general election. With his broad support among key endorsing organizations and public officials, Rendon is the best positioned Democrat to take her on. 

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