2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 72 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Chris Kluwe and Gracey Van Der Mark. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Chris Kluwe (Democratic) and Gracey Van Der Mark (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Assemblymember Diane B. Dixon (Republican), the sitting member per the Legislature's roster, is not on the November ballot. June 2 top-two primary result: Chris Kluwe (DEM) 43.8 percent and Gracey Van Der Mark (REP) 37.7 percent advanced over Matthew Harper (REP) 16.4 percent, Frank Wagoner (NPP) 2.1 percent, per the Secretary of State's Statement of Vote. California's top-two primary decides who prints in November; the field is the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates for the General Election (August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.
This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.
California › Orange County › California Assembly District 72
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
Chris Kluwe is a former NFL punter who played for UCLA and the Minnesota Vikings and has since worked as a writer and community advocate, per his campaign site. He is running for the open 72nd Assembly District seat in Orange County.
Republican
Per the campaign site.
Gracey Van Der Mark is a Republican candidate for California's 72nd Assembly District and a Huntington Beach City Council member, per the OC Independent. She previously served as Huntington Beach mayor, the first Latina to hold that position, and was born to immigrant parents, per her campaign website.
Who is running for California Assembly District 72 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 72 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Chris Kluwe and Gracey Van Der Mark. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the California Assembly District 72 election in California?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for California are on the California election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Orange County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Orange County and state election office filings, last verified September 8, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official California election office, or see the full Orange County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
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