Nichelle Henderson Tops Delegate Vote in Superintendent of Public Instruction Race

Black Democratic candidates see mixed results at state party convention

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In a surprise showing, educator Nichelle Henderson outpaced better-known contenders, including former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, to lead the delegate vote in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction at the state Democratic convention. Henderson's strong performance signals that grassroots appeal and an education-focused message may be resonating more deeply with party activists than traditional political résumés. Other Black candidates saw varying degrees of success, with former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs capturing 24% of delegate support in the lieutenant governor race and Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Controller candidate Malia Cohen demonstrating overwhelming party backing.

Why it matters

The results from the state Democratic convention offer an early measure of organizational strength and enthusiasm for Black candidates within the party ranks. Henderson's surprise showing in the Superintendent of Public Instruction race suggests delegates may be open to elevating new voices over established power players, while the mixed results for other candidates provide insight into the current political landscape.

The details

In the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction, educator Nichelle Henderson outpaced better-known contenders, including former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, to lead the delegate vote. In the lieutenant governor race, former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs captured 24% of delegate support, while Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Controller candidate Malia Cohen demonstrated overwhelming party backing with 96% and 95% of delegate votes, respectively. Former Sen. Steven Bradford trailed competitors in the Insurance Commissioner race, highlighting the uphill climb he faces.

  • The state Democratic convention took place this past weekend.

The players

Nichelle Henderson

An educator who topped the delegate vote in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Anthony Rendon

Former Assembly Speaker who was outpaced by Henderson in the Superintendent of Public Instruction race.

Michael Tubbs

Former Stockton Mayor who captured 24% of delegate support in the lieutenant governor race.

Shirley Weber

California Secretary of State who ran unopposed and secured 96% of delegate votes.

Malia Cohen

Controller candidate who ran unopposed and secured 95% of delegate votes.

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The takeaway

The results from the state Democratic convention suggest that grassroots appeal and issue-focused messaging may be resonating more with party activists than traditional political résumés, as seen in Nichelle Henderson's surprise performance in the Superintendent of Public Instruction race. The mixed results for other Black candidates provide insight into the current political landscape and the organizational strength and enthusiasm within the party ranks.