Democrat Mike Anthony Gipson is running for the California State Board of Equalization District 3 seat in the Nov. 3 general election. His opponent is Samuel P. Sukaton, also a Democrat, according to BallotReady election data.
The Board of Equalization oversees property tax assessment practices across California counties and administers certain tax and fee programs.
Gipson, who lives in Carson, said on his campaign website that he wants to increase audits and oversight to close tax loopholes and reduce the tax burden on working families and seniors on fixed incomes.
Candidate information
- Name: Mike Anthony Gipson
- Party: Democratic
- Born: June 25, 1966, in Los Angeles
- Residence: Carson, California
- Education: High school diploma, John C. Fremont High School; associate's degree, Los Angeles Southwest College; bachelor's degree in business management, University of Phoenix
Experience and public service
Gipson has served as assemblymember for District 65 in the California State Assembly since 2014, according to BallotReady profile data. He held the role of Assembly Democratic Caucus chair from 2021 to 2023, according to LegiStorm. On his campaign website, Gipson called himself "the longest-serving Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair in California history."
Before the Legislature, Gipson served on the Carson City Council. He also worked as a police officer at the Maywood Police Department and was a nonprofit leader and community organizer, according to BallotReady and Ballotpedia profile data.
He is a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus, according to Wikipedia.
On the issues
The Board of Equalization's authority centers on tax administration and assessment oversight. Several of the positions below are from Gipson's broader platform and fall outside the board's direct jurisdiction.
Taxes and budget: Gipson said on his campaign website he would use the Board of Equalization seat to "increase audits and oversight to identify and close tax loopholes used by insurance companies, utilities, big businesses and the super-rich …" He said he is committed to making sure large corporations and wealthy individuals pay their fair share. He would also work to reduce the tax burden on working families, seniors on fixed incomes and small businesses.
Public safety: According to his campaign site, Gipson believes local law enforcement needs support and resources to tackle crime. As a former police officer, he said he also supports programs that keep kids off the streets.
Housing: Gipson said he supports continued investment in affordable housing development and expanded resources for homeless people, including increased funding for shelters, health care and mental health services.
Education: Gipson said he will fight to improve neighborhood schools and ensure California's K-12 public schools have the resources they need. He also called for reinvestment in community colleges and public universities.
Environment and energy: On his campaign page, Gipson said he has worked to enact green energy programs and supported cap and trade during his time in the Assembly.
Endorsements
The following endorsements were claimed by the endorsing organizations, according to BallotReady profile data:
- California Democratic Party
- Los Angeles County Democrats
- California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
- AFL-CIO
- Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
- AFSCME California
- AFSCME Local 3299
- California Teachers' Association
- California Federation of Teachers
- California School Employees Association
- California Professional Firefighters
- State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
- United Farm Workers
- Democrats for Israel Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Sentinel Editorial Board
Candidate issue positions are drawn from responses on Gipson's campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire data. The Pasadena Ledger did not interview the candidate for this profile.
