Asm. Mike Gipson (D-65)

As voters prepare for the Nov. 3 general election, The Carson Compass continues its Meet the Candidate series, introducing candidates seeking to represent Carson and surrounding communities at the local, state and federal levels.

Assemblymember Mike Gipson of Carson says California needs “diligent watchdogs” of its tax system. He wants to be one on the State Board of Equalization.

Gipson is a Democrat and chairs the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee. He is running for the board’s District 3 seat, which covers all of Los Angeles County. The seat is open because Democratic board member Tony Vazquez is termed out. Vazquez has endorsed Gipson.

Gipson faces fellow Democrat Samuel Sukaton, a union organizer, in November. In the June primary, Gipson received 27.9% of the vote and Sukaton 18.2%. Sukaton was invited to participate in the Carson Compass Meet the Candidate series and has not responded.

Gipson is termed out of the Assembly. Former Compton Unified board member Ayanna Davis, whom he has endorsed, is running for his 65th District seat.

Why He’s Running

In his response to The Carson Compass candidate questionnaire, Gipson pointed to state deficits, the January 2025 wildfires and the Trump administration.

“At a time of great uncertainty, when our district confronts a second Trump Administration after two years of steep deficits and the aftermath of the most devastating fires this region has ever seen, our state must have proven, effective leaders who will be diligent watchdogs of California’s tax system,” he said.

California will need resources “to keep our residents afloat, including responding to wildfires and other disasters,” he said.

Top Issues

Gipson named three issues he sees as most important. “The rising cost of living, Trump’s attacks on our healthcare and education systems, and the administration’s unrelenting and illegal ICE deportation machine,” he said.

Naming Corporate Tax Offenders

Gipson said his first priority would be “posting the names of 100 top corporate tax offenders who have not been paying their taxes in the state.”

The state already publishes two such lists. The Franchise Tax Board posts its top 500 delinquent income taxpayers, and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration posts its top 500 sales and use tax delinquencies. Both agencies took over most tax collection from the board in 2017.

Gipson said he is committed to “ensuring big corporations pay their fair share, protecting taxpayers, and increasing transparency at the BOE.”

Leveling the Playing Field

Gipson said he wants to level the playing field “so that the interests of small business owners and homeowners are prioritized the same way as big utility and insurance companies.”

He would start with outreach across the state: regular workshops, plain-language guides and virtual town halls explaining how hearings and appeals work. He also proposed agenda time for small taxpayers to testify and advisory panels of homeowners, renters and small-business owners.

Experience

Gipson was elected to the Carson City Council in 2005 and served as mayor pro tem before winning his Assembly seat in 2014. He served as Assembly Democratic Caucus chair from 2015 to 2023, the longest anyone has held the post. He now chairs the Revenue and Taxation Committee.

He also worked as chief of staff to a former chair of the Board of Equalization.

“Not only have I been a public servant for over two decades, but I’ve also worked directly inside the Board of Equalization and seen the inside machinations of how it works,” he said.

Carson Roots

Asked what voters might not learn from his campaign materials, Gipson pointed to Carson.

“I am a longtime Carson resident who has dedicated my career to uplifting our community,” he said. Before joining the council, he said, he helped lead local nonprofits that kept at-risk youth “engaged in school and off the streets.” As a council member, he said, he protected funding for neighborhood schools, hospitals and public safety.

Endorsements

Gipson’s endorsers include:

• Gov. Gavin Newsom
• Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis
• Attorney General Rob Bonta
• Controller Malia Cohen
• Treasurer Fiona Ma
• the California Democratic Party
• the California Federation of Labor Unions
• the California Teachers Association
• SEIU California
• the editorial board of the Los Angeles Daily News

He is also endorsed by Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang and Supervisors Janice Hahn, Lindsey Horvath, Hilda Solis and Kathryn Barger. Barger is a Republican.

Locally, he is endorsed by Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes and Councilmembers Jawane Hilton and Arleen Rojas.

Beyond the Ballot

• Favorite local restaurant: R&R Soul Food in Carson, CA.
• Favorite community event: Carson’s Jazz Festival.
• A local place everyone should visit: Juice-C-Juice.
• Currently listening to: “The Battle Is the Lord’s” by gospel singer Yolanda Adams.
• One-word friends would use to describe him: Faithful.

His Message to Voters

If elected, Gipson said he wants residents to say he “will be an open door and always put the interests of working people first.”

“I’ve dedicated my life’s work to public service and delivering for our community,” he said. “On the Board of Equalization, I will bring in the funds needed to support quality healthcare, strong schools, and vital social services that sustain families and communities across our state.”