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RENDON RUNS FOR SCHOOLS BOSS

Former California Assembly SpeakerAnthony Rendon will run for the open superintendent of public instruction’s office next year, he announced today.

The Democrat termed out of the Legislature last year after leading the lower chamber from 2016-2023 and becoming one of the longest-serving Speakers in state history. 

But before he entered politics, Rendon spent two decades running preschool and early education programs that largely served low-income families. The Los Angeles native said Schwarzenegger-era cuts to these programs prompted him to run for office. 

Now, he’s motivated by the Trump administration’s moves to gut the federal Department of Education andhold back money for schools.

“There’s a likelihood that theCalifornia Department of Education will be the most relevant education department in the entire country,” Rendon said in an interview. “I want to make sure that it not only educates California kids at the highest level, but also that it’s a model for other states.”

State test scores show less than half of California’s K-12 students met state standards for English and the number is evenlower for math and science. 

Asked about dismal test scores, Rendon touted an 80% increase in school funding during his Speakership and applauded a legislative effort torequire access to phonics-based English learning. He said teachers should both “have a variety of tools available to them that are best suited for their students” and be “well-compensated.”

The former Speaker also said he wants to address the youth mental health crisis, responsible use and education of AI in schools, and streamlining administration for early childhood education.

“When well funded and operating effectively, I know the impact (educational systems) can have on families and kids and on our state,” he said. “For me, it’s important that those things continue to function at the highest level.”

Rendon’s daughter will enter kindergarten next month at a public school in Los Angeles County, where he lives. 

The former Speaker enters the campaign field with a war chest of nearly $900,000 and list of more than 20 endorsements from Democrats includingRep. Judy Chu, state Sens.Sabrina Cervantes andEloise Gomez Reyes and AssemblymembersJoaquin Arambula,Josh Lowenthal andChris Ward. 

He joins several others who’ve declared for the seat, including AssemblymemberAl Muratsuchi and former state Sen.Josh Newman, both Democrats.Sonja Shaw, a Republican Southern California school board leader who’schallenged state “parental notification policies” and limits on book bans. 

Democratic local school trusteesRichard Barrera andNichelle Henderson, along with self-described socialistFrank Lara, have also announced campaigns for the seat. 

OUTRAGE AND ORGANIZING

Via David Lightman…

Sen. Alex Padilla urged theNational Association of Latino Elected officials this week to vigorously protest Trump administration immigration policy.

“Meet outrage with organizing. Meet mass deportations with mass mobilizations. Overcome the distractions with demonstrations,” the California Democrat said.

“In every corner of the country, Latino and immigrant communities are being targeted,” Padillatold NALEO’s conference.

“On any given day, someone, somewhere in America could wake up to armed forces on horseback running children out of parks, masked agents using unmarked cars to abduct people,” Padilla said.

“Each of us, one moment away from being a collateral arrest.”

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of theDepartment of Homeland Security, fired back.

“Senator Padilla’s irresponsible rhetoric calling for people to ‘fight back’ against the Trump Administration is disgusting,” she toldThe Bee.

She said that immigration law enforcement are facing an 830% increase in assaults against them. 

“They are having rocks and Molotov cocktails thrown at them and being shot at. Senator Padilla should stop using violent inciting rhetoric and vilifying law enforcement,” McLaughlin said.

“Make no mistake: Padilla and his fellow sanctuary politicians rhetoric is contributing to the increased assaults on our brave law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent criminal illegal aliens to protect and defend the lives of American citizens.”

Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants,was forcibly escorted out ofHomeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Los Angeles press conference June 12 and handcuffed. 

“If that’s what this administration will do to a United States Senator with a question, imagine what they’re doing to immigrants and Latinos when no one is watching,” he said.

“Let’s be clear: the Trump administration is testing the limits of their power.”

FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS ON PAUSE

Via Molly Gibbs…

TheU.S. District Court for Rhode Islandgranted an agreement Friday temporarily pausing new federal restrictions placed on benefit programs such asHead Start. 

Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a group of 20 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit on Monday against theTrump administration over directives regarding federally-funded programs for low-income people. 

As a result of the directives, theU.S.DOJ,U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies announced they would start requiring states to screen for immigration status before giving people access to certain programs. 

Domestic violence shelters, nutrition programs and crisis counseling centers were some of the programs impacted. The attorneys general argue the policies would not only hurt immigrants without lawful status but also some people in the country legally including those with student visas. 

The pause on restrictions will last until early September as the case continues. Bonta said they are still seeking a court order blocking the implementation of the federal directives for the duration of the case.

“With today’s agreement, these critical programs — and the families who rely on them — can breathe a little easier,” Bontasaid about the agreement, “California will not back down in the fight to protect access to these programs that help ensure that our communities thrive.”

UPHILL BATTLE(S)

Via Molly Gibbs…

U.S. Reps.Adam Gray, D-Merced,Derek Tran, D-Garden Grove, andDavid Valadao, R-Hanford, all have their work cut out for them if they want to keep their seats, according to newNational Journalrankings. 

The rankings, which are based on information from political insiders, represent an initial benchmark of 2026 House races, according to National Journal, and evaluate each race independently. 

Gray won his seat from incumbentJohn Duarte in 2024 byless than 200 votes — now making it the third most competitive race in the upcoming cycle. 

“This Central Valley seat has produced some of the closest elections in each of the last two cycles,” the National Journal said. “And a rightward shift at the top of the ticket likely ensures that again.” 

Three people have declared their candidacy to fight Gray for the seat.Javier Lopez, Mayor of Ceres is one of the more compelling candidates according to National Journal, but he’s struggled to raise money. Records from theFederal Election Commission show he raised under $80,000 in the last quarter with the largest donations from a Republican Leadership PAC affiliated with Duarte, the FARMER PAC.

Tran faces similar challenges to Gray as he fights to keep a Democratic seat in what the National Journal ranked the 12th most competitive race. The incumbent in 2024, RepublicanMichelle Steel, who Tran beat by fewer than 700 votes, has filed her candidacy but has yet to launch a full-fledged campaign. 

Coming in 17th is Valadao’s battle against his own voting record to keep a Republican seat from Democrats — and it’s not his first rodeo. 

“Valadao lost his seat in 2018 for his vote to slash the Affordable Care Act, only to return two years later,” the National Journal reports. “Democrats were bullish on their chances in the two elections since but came up short in each.”

AssemblymemberJasmeet Bains, D-Bakersfield, announced she would challenge Valadao earlier this month and has already made strides, gaining important endorsements from lawmakers and unions. Still, any Democratic challenger will have a difficult campaign ahead to beat Valadao, a “proven winner” according to the National Journal.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“AmeriCorps represents the best of who we are, what we can be, as a nation… 

We’re going back to court to block this latest maneuver – and we’ll keep fighting to ensure this invaluable program continues.” 

— Attorney GeneralRob Bonta,onTrump’s funding cuts ofAmeriCorps, the federal volunteerism program 

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Nicole Nixon

The Sacramento Bee

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Nicole Nixon covers California politics for The Sacramento Bee’s Capitol Bureau. Previously, she spent nearly a decade reporting for public radio stations in Sacramento and her hometown of Salt Lake City.

Molly Gibbs

The Sacramento Bee

Molly Gibbs was a 2025 summer reporting intern for The Sacramento Bee’s Capitol Bureau.