Chris Kluwe
Candidate for Assembly District 72
Chris Kluwe is a Democrat running for the 72nd Assembly District. He faces voters in the November 2026 vote. He grew up in Seal Beach, California. He earned a UCLA degree, with a double major in history and political science. Kluwe played in the NFL as a punter for the Minnesota Vikings. After football, he worked as a coach, a writer, and a community advocate. This is his first run for public office. He has never held elected office before. Kluwe won 43.8% of the vote in the June 2, 2026 primary, or 70,530 votes. He will face Republican Gracey Van Der Mark in the fall. The seat is open, since Republican Diane Dixon is not seeking re-election. His campaign focuses on housing costs and school funding. He also backs climate action and civil rights. Labor unions back him, including the state Federation of Labor and SEIU California. Teachers and nurses' unions back him too. Home: Seal Beach, Orange County, California. Occupation: former NFL punter for the Minnesota Vikings. He now works as a coach, writer, and community advocate. Prior office: none. This is his first run for public office.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports increasing housing supply and lowering costs to support good-paying local jobs while maintaining workforce standards; has raised concerns about AI causing job loss.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Emphasizes addressing the broader affordability crisis, including housing, healthcare, groceries, and utilities, though without specific tax proposals.
Source → - Housing & Homelessness
Supports increasing housing supply through zoning reform and streamlined construction, particularly near jobs, schools, and transit, to address the affordability crisis.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Identifies the rising cost of healthcare as part of the broader affordability crisis he intends to address, without a detailed Medi-Cal, drug pricing, or mental health platform.
Source → - Reproductive & Social Issues
Commits to protecting reproductive rights and defending LGBTQ+ and civil rights against government overreach.
Source → - Education & Schools
Supports fully funding public K-12 schools and ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports expanding clean energy and building climate-resilient communities to reduce California's carbon footprint and lower household costs, and lists fighting the climate crisis as a personal priority.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Advocates for transparency and accountability in government and opposes the influence of corporate special interests in Sacramento, framing himself as an outsider to establishment politics.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.