Democrat Mike Anthony Gipson is running for the California State Board of Equalization District 3 seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces one other candidate, Samuel P. Sukaton, also a Democrat, according to Ballotpedia and BallotReady election data.
Gipson, who lives in Carson, said on his campaign website that he wants to use the seat to increase audits and close tax loopholes he says benefit large corporations and the wealthy, while reducing the tax burden on working families, seniors on fixed incomes and small businesses.
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 California's 65th Assembly District since 2014, according to BallotReady profile data. He served as 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 Assembly, Gipson served as a councilmember on the Carson City Council, according to BallotReady. He also worked as a police officer at the Maywood Police Department, a staff aide and a nonprofit leader and community organizer, according to BallotReady and Ballotpedia. He is a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus, according to Wikipedia.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Gipson's campaign website and his responses collected by BallotReady. They reflect the candidate's own statements.
Taxes and budget: Gipson said he is "committed to making sure big corporations and very wealthy individuals pay their fair share." He said he would increase audits and oversight to identify and close tax loopholes used by insurance companies, utilities, big businesses and the wealthy, according to his campaign website. He also said he would work to reduce the tax burden on working families, seniors on fixed incomes and small businesses.
Public safety: Gipson, a former police officer, said he believes local law enforcement needs support and resources to tackle crime. He said he also supports programs to get kids off the streets, according to his candidate responses.
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 said the state must reinvest in community colleges and public universities to keep them affordable and accessible.
Environment and energy: Gipson said he has worked to enact green energy programs and supports cap and trade. He said the state must continue to take environmental policy into its own hands, according to his candidate responses.
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 positions and responses were collected through BallotReady and the candidate's campaign website. The Platinum Tribune does not endorse candidates.
