Anthony Rendon

Rendon earned his B.A. and M.A. at California State University, Fullerton, in 1991 and 1992, respectively. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of California, Riverside, in 2000 and completed his post-doctoral work at Boston University in 2001. His career experience includes working as the COO for the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, as the interim executive director of the California League of Conservation Voters, and as the executive director of Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc.[2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

California's public education system changed my life. I wasn't a good student in high school. I barely graduated and went on to work in warehouses. But I discovered a passion for learning at community college, graduated from Cal State Fullerton, and earned a Ph.D. at UC Riverside. Ultimately, I became Speaker of the State Assembly—one of the top public officials in California—a meaningful accomplishment for the grandson of Mexican immigrants. I'm running for Superintendent of Public Instruction to continue a lifelong mission of offering every child, regardless of background, access to high-quality public education. When I ran early childhood education programs for underprivileged kids, I saw the devastating impacts of state budget cuts. So as Assembly Speaker I increased education funding by 50 percent, then enacted the nations strongest education oversight laws, and successfully stood up to the Trump Administration to protect our schools and civil rights. Today, schools need not only more investment but real reform. Our schools should be focused on the core skills kids need to succeed. We should be wary of technology overload that undermines students' ability to learn and thrive. Collaborative leadership between parents, educators, and schools is essential to establishing proper guardrails around classroom technology. Students should have fewer distractions in class. Teachers shouldn't compete with billion-dollar tech algorithms to teach the basics

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Building a cradle-to-career education system

Before I served in the Assembly, I spent two decades in early education, where I saw firsthand how much children and families depend on state preschool programs. I also convened the Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education as Speaker, and I’ll use its recommendations to guide my work in overhauling and strengthening California’s early education system. My priority is to break down the silos between early education, K–12, and higher education so that California builds a true cradle-to-career approach where students don’t fall through the cracks at critical transitions in their education journey.Tackling the youth mental health crisis by addressing technology in the classroom

I’ve studied the alarming decline in youth happiness and rise in emotional distress, especially among young women, and I know technology plays a major role in it. Phones and social media have harmed both learning and student well-being, and now AI tools risk undermining the development of critical thinking skills. As SPI, I will work with educators to establish clear policies on how smartphones and generative AI are used in schools — ensuring these tools enhance learning rather than erode it — and I’ll make sure teachers have the training and resources they need to help students thrive.Defending California schools from Donald Trump

Donald Trump and his allies have already proposed eliminating Head Start and abolishing the U.S. Department of Education — actions that would be catastrophic for California’s children. As Speaker during Trump’s first term, I’ve stood up to the MAGA agenda before, and I’ll do it again. As Superintendent, I’ll be a firewall between our schools and whatever chaos comes out of Washington, ensuring California continues to invest in and protect its students, educators, and future.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Early Childhood education has been a passion of mine. I ran head start and similar programs for 20 years. It was the cuts to these programs during the Schwarzenegger administration that inspired me to get involved in public service.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

AFSCME California People

California and Nevada State Association of Electrical Workers

California Association of Psychiatric Technicians

California Federation of Labor Unions

California Latino Legislative Caucus

California Professional Firefighters

California State Council of Laborers

SEIU California

SEIU Local 99

SEIU 121 RN

SEIU 221

SEIU 521

SEIU 721

SEIU 1000

SEIU 1021

SEIU 2015

SEIU CIR

California Faculty Association

California State University Employees Union

SEIU UHW

SEIU USWW

Teamsters California

UFCW Western States Council

United Brotherhood of Carpenters

United Nurses Association of California

Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis

Congressman Pete Aguilar

Congresswoman Judy Chu

Congresswoman Laura Friedman

Congressman Robert Garcia

Anthony Rendon did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Anthony Rendon did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Rendon's campaign website listed the following issues:

Safe Neighborhoods

Excerpt: "I believe that we cannot afford any further cuts to our public safety and that we need to work on finding new, steady streams of revenue to adequately fund programs that keep our neighborhoods safe."

Environment

Excerpt: "Threats to our natural resources and our environment are a cause for serious concern in California and across the country. I understand the importance of state and local leaders working together to protect the environment."

Healthcare

Excerpt: "Millions cannot afford health care or know someone who cannot afford health care. Countless others have been denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition."

Jobs and Economic Recovery

Excerpt: "I believe that investing in working families through education and effective job training is essential to economic recovery. I will support policies which make certain that well-paying jobs are created and stay in California so that families and small businesses can thrive and prosper. That's why I am supported by local small business leaders and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor."

Education

Excerpt: "As an educator and children’s nonprofit director, I know firsthand that a quality education is the foundation for a brighter future for our children. Local communities must have the resources they need to provide the highest quality education possible. I believe that quality schools and colleges are essential for economic recovery and I will fight to decrease college tuition and smaller class sizes for K-12 schools."