Educator and sex trong phimAssembly Education Committee chair has heavyweight endorsements.
On Feb. 18, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, a Democrat representing the South Bay, officially declared his candidacy for California superintendent of public instruction.
Muratsuchi — an educator, former local school board trustee, and chair of the Assembly Education Committee — released the following statement:
“I am running for state superintendent to fight for public education and to fight for California students and schools. As an educator, former local school board trustee, and now state lawmaker and education policy chair, I have been fighting for decades for California schools.
“Now, as California’s students face ongoing challenges, especially from a Trump Administration that is attacking public education and our most vulnerable students, we need to fight to defend our schools and our students.
“That’s why I’m running for state superintendent of public instruction – to dedicate not only my decades of leadership experience, but also my life experience as a son of immigrants, the product of public schools, a first-generation college graduate, and a public school parent.
“Throughout my career, I have worked hard to transform California public schools to promote the success and well-being of every student, regardless of who they are and where they live. I have delivered increased education funding, authored a $10 billion statewide school bond, championed universal preschool and after-school programs, fought to raise teachers’ salaries, supported community schools, mental health services, and free meals for low-income students, and delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in career technical education to teach real-world job skills.
“But California clearly needs to do more to ensure every student has the opportunity to attend a good public school and to receive the support they need. I look forward to traveling throughout the state in the months ahead to learn more about the challenges facing our students, teachers, and schools and delivering real solutions to the challenges we face.”
Muratsuchi launched his campaign with an early list of high-powered endorsements:
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas
State Treasurer Fiona Ma
Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell
Assembly Appropriations Committee Chair Buffy Wicks
Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair Rick Chavez Zbur
Assembly Local Government Committee Chair and Latino Caucus Vice Chair Juan Carrillo
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Chair Mike Gipson
Assembly Rules Committee Chair Blanca Pacheco
Assembly Majority Whip Mark Gonzalez
Assembly Budget Subcommittee Chair Gregg Hart
Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Chair Pilar Schiavo
Former Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting
“Al Muratsuchi is a statewide education leader in California’s ongoing work to transform local schools across California, promote student success, and provide for the well-being of every child. He has dedicated his life’s work to fighting for public education to provide equal opportunity for all. Al is my choice for state superintendent of public instruction. I am proud to endorse him.” — Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas
“Throughout his career from his time as an educator, school board member and assemblymember, Al Muratsuchi has consistently fought to ensure that every student in California has access to the education they deserve. That’s why I’m excited to endorse Al for state superintendent of public instruction because as a lifelong advocate for education, I believe Al is the right choice to lead our state’s schools into the future during this tumultuous time.” — State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA
“As a former superintendent, I know first-hand what it takes to deliver real results for California’s public schools. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Al Muratsuchi for state superintendent of public instruction, because he has the innovative vision and decades of experience to get things done, and I know he will always be a tireless fighter for California students in this challenging time.” — Former Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell
“California’s teachers, students, and parents need a proven advocate leading our schools, which is why I’m thrilled to endorse Al Muratsuchi for state superintendent of public instruction. I know that just like he has throughout his career, Al will be a bold fighter to modernize our schools, defend critical programs for our most vulnerable students, and champion smart, responsible investments in our children’s futures.” — Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair Rick Chavez Zbur
“I’m excited to endorse Al Muratsuchi for state superintendent of public instruction. California’s education system faces many challenges including potentially dire cuts in federal funding, but Al has both the big-picture vision as chair of the Assembly Education Committee and on-the-ground experience as a longtime educator and school board member to achieve lasting progress for California’s schools. I know Al will be a bold fighter for our students and teachers, and I’m proud to endorse him.” — Assemblymember Buffy Wicks
“At this critical time, California’s education system needs a leader who has a deep understanding of the issues, listens to the community, and takes bold action to improve schools for every child. That’s why I’m excited to endorse Al Muratsuchi for state superintendent of public instruction. Al has the background and forward-thinking vision to be the bold leader our students and teachers need.” — Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco
“California’s students continue to face ongoing challenges from the pandemic, growing inequities in education, and dire threats from extremists seeking to undermine public schools. But I know Al Muratsuchi is a forward-thinking leader who will tackle these challenges head-on with determination, integrity, and a clear focus on student success. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Al for state superintendent of public instruction — because he has the long-standing experience, bold vision, and unwavering commitment to improving education for all students, especially those who have been historically underserved.” — Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez
Background
First elected to the Assembly in 2012, Muratsuchi has been a longtime champion for California’s students, teachers and staff, and schools. Throughout his career, he has fought to transform public schools to promote student success and the well-being of every child.
As chair of the Assembly Education Committee, Muratsuchi makes education policy impacting California’s nearly 6 million public school students. In the Legislature, He has led the fight for billions in increased funding for schools, universal preschool and after-school programs, closing the digital divide, mental health services, and free school meals for low-income students.
He has authored ground-breaking legislation that delivers for all California students, including a $10 billion statewide school bond, raising teachers’ salaries, fighting book bans at public libraries, and teaching real-world skills for future jobs.
In addition to being a champion for public education, Muratsuchi has also been a fighter for working families, environmental justice, affordable healthcare, equal rights for all, safer neighborhoods, and small businesses.
The son of immigrants, Muratsuchi was born and raised on U.S. military bases overseas before arriving in California in 1982. The product of public schools and a first-generation college graduate, he attended UC Berkeley and received a Juris Doctor degree from UCLA before settling in the South Bay.
Muratsuchi is an adjunct professor at El Camino College, where he teaches government, and is a proud member of the American Federation of Teachers, Local 1388. He has also taught Asian American studies at UCLA.
Muratsuchi previously served as a civil rights lawyer and deputy attorney general with the California Department of Justice, and on the Torrance Unified School District Board of Education, the Southern California Regional Occupational Center Board of Trustees, and the State Allocation Board, which distributes state funds to build and repair public schools.
Muratsuchi lives in the South Bay with his wife Hiroko, their daughter, who attends a local public school, and their dog Teddy.
For more information, visit alforcaliforniaschools.com.