Democrats spend big in bid to flip OC coastal Assembly seat

California Democrats are pouring money into Democrat Chris Kluwe’s campaign for the open 72nd Assembly District seat, where he faces Republican Huntington Beach Councilwoman Gracey Van Der Mark, Voice of OC reported.

The race matters in Orange County because the district runs along the coast from Seal Beach to Laguna Beach, and Democrats are trying to flip a seat where Republicans remain the largest voter bloc, according to the Orange County registrar.

Voice of OC reported that the 72nd Assembly District seat is open because Republican Assemblywoman Diane Dixon is running for county supervisor instead of seeking another Assembly term.

Kluwe, a former Minnesota Vikings punter and local political activist, and Van Der Mark, a Huntington Beach city councilwoman, are competing for the seat, according to Voice of OC. The district extends along Orange County’s coast from Seal Beach to Laguna Beach.

Kluwe has reported more than $1.1 million in fundraising, while Van Der Mark has reported $314,000, Voice of OC reported. The California Democratic Party disclosed more than $652,000 in donations to Kluwe’s campaign.

Other Democratic support included $30,000 from a county party in Santa Clara County and $40,000 from a county party in Del Norte County, according to Voice of OC. The outlet also reported $158,000 in recent attack ads against Kluwe from the Legislative Action PAC.

Van Der Mark has received comparatively less party spending. Voice of OC reported that the OC Republican Party spent around $28,000 to support her, while the state Republican Party had not disclosed spending as of Monday.

The district’s voter registration gives Republicans an edge: About 39% of voters are registered Republicans, 32% are Democrats and about 22% have no party preference, according to the Orange County registrar. In the primary, Kluwe received just under 44% of the vote, while Republican candidates combined for more than 54%, Voice of OC reported.

The fundraising gap highlights how both parties are watching a coastal Orange County district that remains numerically favorable to Republicans but is drawing major Democratic investment.