CARSON, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Carson City Councilmember Mike Gipson announced his campaign for State Assembly today. Gipson will run in the new 64th State Assembly district, which includes the cities of Carson and Compton, and portions of Los Angeles, Long Beach and unincorporated Los Angeles County. The race is expected to be an open seat contest due to Assemblymember Isadore Hall’s campaign for Congress and Assemblymember Warren Furutani’s campaign for Los Angeles City Council.
“Keeping kids out of gangs, improving our schools, and protecting frontline services has been my life’s work,” Gipson said. “I am excited about the opportunity to continue these fights in the California State Legislature. I have served this community as a councilmember and mayor pro-tem, a police officer, a union representative, and a representative for numerous local elected leaders. I feel these experiences, coupled with my work ethic and relentless determination will serve our district well in Sacramento.”
Gipson was elected to the Carson City Council in 2005 and re-elected in 2009. In 2009, Gipson received more votes than any municipal candidate in the city’s 42 year history. Gipson also serves as Vice President of the Advisory Board for the State Public Utilities Commission, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Positive Imagery Foundation, Inc. and former Chairman of the California Contract Cities’ Legislative Committee.
A former Maywood peace officer, Gipson left the police force and entered public service following the death of his partner in 1992.
Gipson currently works as District Director for Board of Equalization Chairman Jerome Horton. Gipson has previously worked as an area organizer for the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), Legislative and Political Director for Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 399, Statewide Political Director for Justice for Janitors SEIU Local 1877 and a Business Representative for SEIU Local 99. He has also previously served on the staff of Congressman Mervyn Dymally, State Senator Bill Greene, Los Angeles City Councilmember Robert Farrell and Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas.
The newly drawn 64th State Assembly district is one of the most heavily Democratic districts in California. According to data releases by Political Data Inc, the projected voter registration in the district is 67% Democratic and 12% Republican. Barack Obama carried the district by a 74% margin in 2008 and Governor Jerry Brown won the district by 69% in 2010.
