Former NFL Player Chris Kluwe Enters California Assembly Race

Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe is running for the California State Assembly in District 72, which covers several coastal cities in Orange County, including his hometown of Huntington Beach. The seat, traditionally held by Republicans, is open after redistricting. Kluwe’s campaign emphasizes full-throated support for transgender rights, opposition to what he describes as federal attacks on the trans community, and reforms to policing and fiscal policy.

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He also calls for a “pass-through account” for state taxes that are legally appropriated by Congress, insisting the state should retain the money before sending it to the federal government. He proposes that police officers reside in the communities they serve to rebuild trust.

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In the June primary, Kluwe received roughly 44 % of the vote among four candidates and led his nearest rival, Huntington Beach council member Gracey Van Der Mark, by about 10,000 votes. Van Der Mark has supported local anti-LGBTQ measures, including book bans and the removal of the Pride flag from city property, which Kluwe cites as evidence of the council’s “right-wing fear machine.”

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Kluwe frames his candidacy as a response to what he calls a federal “war against trans individuals,” urging citizens to oppose it. He stresses that his campaign is not a whim, noting his lifelong lack of political ambition. Regarding police reform, he stresses that law-enforcement officers must not be “above the law” and that powerful police unions hinder enforcement of existing statutes. On privacy, Kluwe warns against expanding surveillance tools without rigorous oversight.

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• “We’re seeing a war against trans individuals being waged by our federal government, and we, as citizens, need to be willing to step up and say this is not OK,” — Chris Kluwe

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• “I promise you this, if a politician is willing to fold on trans issues, that means they’re willing to fold on LGB issues; they’re willing to fold on civil rights issues,” — Chris Kluwe

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• “It’s definitely not something that I decided on a whim. I’ve been very consistent throughout my life that I’ve never, never had political aspirations or wanted to serve in political office. That’s not something I’ve ever desired,” — Chris Kluwe

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• “It’s basically just a pass-through account. The state would save the money before sending it to the federal government,” — Chris Kluwe

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• “We need to fundamentally reexamine our relationship with the idea of policing in America and how that relates to its citizens. It’s become very clear at this point that a lot of police forces believe it’s an us-versus-them scenario,” — Chris Kluwe

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Kluwe’s campaign will be decided in the upcoming November general election.

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