Former Assembly Speaker Rendon declares candidacy for state superintendent

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Former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon Monday announced his candidacy for state Superintendent of Public Instruction, pledging if elected to confront "the youth mental health crisis" and develop policies on the use of generative artificial intelligence tools in schools.

"We can't ignore the reality: phones and social media have harmed both learning and student wellbeing," Rendon said in a statement. "And now, AI tools are allowing students to bypass developing the critical thinking skills they need for life.

"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."

Rendon also pledged to create "a cradle-to-career approach" in education "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 joins the field in the nonpartisan race to succeed Tony Thurmond that also includes Nichelle Henderson, a member of the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, former Sen. Josh Newman, D-Fullerton, and Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education.

Thurmond is barred from running for re-election because of term limits and is running for governor.

The primary will be held June 2. If no candidate receives a majority, as is expected, a runoff will be held Nov. 3 between the top two finishers.

Rendon, a Democrat who lives in Lakewood, was first elected to the Assembly in 2012 to represent a portion of Southeast Los Angeles County. He was elected Assembly speaker in 2016, remaining in the post until June 30, 2023. Rendon continued to serve as an Assembly member through Nov. 30, 2024.

Before being elected to the Assembly, Rendon spent two decades working in early education including as executive director of Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, overseeing programs serving more than 2,300 children across 35 child development centers located throughout Los Angeles County.

Rendon has said he was motivated to run for the Assembly because of budget cuts to early education by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.