FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2025

Contact: Natalie Betanco, natalie@bergmannzwerdling.com

Chris Kluwe Emerges as the Strongest Democrat Poised to Flip Assembly District 72

With broad labor backing and support among key Democratic leaders, Kluwe campaign is building momentum in key open Orange County battleground district

Huntington Beach, CA — Longtime civil rights advocate and retired NFL player Chris Kluwe has emerged as the strongest — and only — Democrat with the support, coalition, and resources necessary to flip California’s open 72nd Assembly District, one of the most competitive seats in Orange County and a key battleground in 2026.

Since launching his campaign in the fall of 2025, Kluwe has consolidated support from Democratic leaders and labor unions across Orange County and California, earning endorsements from a broad coalition of workers, educators, and elected leaders who recognize both the urgency of this race and Kluwe’s ability to win.

“SEIU California is endorsing Chris Kluwe because he refuses to accept a status quo where corporations make record profits while working families struggle to get by,” stated Catherine Hutchinson, President of SEIU Local 2579 and Executive Board Member of the SEIU California State Council. “Chris has shown time and again that he will stand up and challenge powerful interests, defend people who are being pushed aside, and fight for a more fair and accountable government. We know he’ll take that fight to Sacramento and stand up for workers every single day.”

“Chris Kluwe is a fearless champion who stands up for people,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “He understands that too often the system works for the wealthy and well-connected instead of everyday families. I’m proud to support Chris and look forward to partnering with him to fight for affordability, opportunity, and dignity for the communities we both serve.”

“I’m endorsing Chris Kluwe for State Assembly because he represents the kind of honest, people-first leadership we need in Sacramento,” said Congressman Dave Min. “Orange County families deserve a leader who will fight for them — and Chris is ready to do just that.”

“Service has always been at the heart of my life — whether in the Army, in the courtroom, or in my community — and it’s clear Chris Kluwe shares that value of service,” said Congressman Derek Tran. “He’s the kind of leader who stands up for people, not politics, and never backs down from doing what’s right. I'm excited to support his campaign for State Assembly because I know he’ll bring that same sense of duty to Sacramento.”

Kluwe’s endorsement coalition includes major labor unions and Democratic leaders at every level of government, including:

LABOR UNIONS

• SEIU California

• California Federation of Teachers

• California Teachers Association

• California State University Employees Union

• Laborers Local 652

• ILWU Local 13

• ILWU Local 63/Marine Clerks Association

• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 36

• Orange County Employees Association

• SMART Local 105

• UNAC/UHCP

STATE AND LOCAL ELECTED LEADERS

• Congressman Dave Min

• Congressman Derek Tran

• Congressman Mike Levin

• Congressman Robert Garcia

• Assembly Speaker Pro Team Josh Lowenthal

• Assemblymember Avelino Valencia

• Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris

• Assemblymember Chris Ward

• Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva

• Aliso Viejo Mayor Tiffany Ackley

• Laguna Niguel Councilmember Stephanie Oddo

• Former Huntington Beach City Councilmember Dan Kalmick

• Former Huntington Beach City Councilmember Rhonda Bolton

• Former Huntington Beach City Councilmember Kim Carr

• Ocean View School Board Trustee President Gina Clayton-Tarvin

• Coastline Community College Board Trustee Elizabeth Dorn Parker

Kluwe’s growing coalition of support was also solidified by the California Democratic Party’s endorsement process, where he recently earned 98% of the vote from party delegates, far exceeding the 70% threshold required to advance to the consent calendar for automatic endorsement at the upcoming state convention. The overwhelming support places Kluwe on track to become the officially endorsed candidate of the California Democratic Party and further underscores his strength as the clear Democratic nominee in Assembly District 72.

With Diane Dixon leaving office, the current Republican field represents a sharp contrast to Kluwe’s focus on standing up for all people and delivering for working families. One opponent, Huntington Beach City Councilmember Gracey Van Der Mark, has repeatedly aligned herself with far-right groups like the Proud Boys, her extremist rhetoric has been condemned by the Anti Defamation League, and she’s promoted lawsuits that have consistently failed in court while costing local taxpayers millions of dollars in legal fees. Another Republican candidate, Nick Taurus, is a self-described white nationalist with a documented history of racism and hate.

Assembly District 72 remains one of the most competitive legislative districts in California and one of the most winnable for Democrats. While Republicans maintain a registration edge (40% Republican, 32% Democratic, and 28% No Party Preference/other), recent election results show a clear shift toward Democratic candidates at the top of the ticket. Donald Trump carried the district by just 2.6 points in 2020 (50.4% to 47.8%), and by an even narrower margin in 2024 (49.9% to Kamala Harris’s 47.2%). These results underscore a growing coalition of Democratic, independent, and swing voters, and a clear path to victory for a Democrat with the name recognition, resources, and broad support to compete and win.

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Chris Kluwe is a former Minnesota Vikings NFL player, author, and longtime Orange County resident who has built his life and career on standing up for people and doing what’s right. Both on and off the field, Chris has advocated for civil rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and transparency in local government. He grew up in Seal Beach, graduated from UCLA with a double major in History and Political Science, and now lives in Huntington Beach with his wife and two children. 

Kluwe has coached high school football, volunteered with local organizations, and stood up against extremism, peacefully protesting and getting arrested at a Huntington Beach City Council meeting. He is running for State Assembly to fight for strong schools, affordable housing, climate action, and commonsense leadership that puts people first.

California’s 72nd Assembly District spans coastal and south Orange County, including the cities of Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, and Aliso Viejo. With Assemblymember Diane Dixon not seeking re-election, AD-72 is an open seat with registration trending Democratic recently (32% Democratic, 40% Republican, and 21% No Party Preference). The district is expected to be one of the most competitive legislative seats in Orange County in 2026.