Kipp Mueller

Kipp Mueller (Democratic Party) ran for election to the California State Senate to represent District 23. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Mueller completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Mueller earned his B.A. in rhetoric/German from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2008 and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was awarded the Harlan F. Stone Scholar Award and served on the Columbia Human Rights Law Review, in 2014. His professional experience includes working as an extern for the Consumer Protection branch for the U.S. Department of Justice during the administration of President Barack Obama (D) as well as a workers rights attorney and a pro bono asylum attorney with the Catholic Charities of Los Angeles Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project. Mueller is a member of both the California Employment Law Association (CELA) and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.^[1]^[2]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for California State Senate District 23

Suzette Martinez Valladares defeated Kipp Mueller in the general election for California State Senate District 23 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Suzette Martinez Valladares (R)	52.4	190,957
	Kipp Mueller (D)	47.6	173,695

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 364,652
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Senate District 23

Suzette Martinez Valladares and Kipp Mueller defeated James Hamburger, Blanca Azucena Gomez, and Ollie M. McCaulley in the primary for California State Senate District 23 on March 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Suzette Martinez Valladares (R)	32.8	50,937
✔	Kipp Mueller (D)	29.4	45,754
	James Hamburger (R)	23.8	37,075
	Blanca Azucena Gomez (D)	9.2	14,257
	Ollie M. McCaulley (D)	4.8	7,439

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 155,462
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

Endorsements

To view Mueller's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Mueller in this election.

2020

General election

General election for California State Senate District 21

Incumbent Scott Wilk defeated Kipp Mueller in the general election for California State Senate District 21 on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Scott Wilk (R)	50.8	199,342
	Kipp Mueller (D)	49.2	193,202

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 392,544
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Senate District 21

Incumbent Scott Wilk and Kipp Mueller defeated Dana LaMon, Warren Heaton, and Steve Hill in the primary for California State Senate District 21 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scott Wilk (R)	53.1	96,701
✔		Kipp Mueller (D)	18.8	34,232
		Dana LaMon (D)	12.0	21,911
	Submit photo	Warren Heaton (D)	10.2	18,554
	Submit photo	Steve Hill (D)	6.0	10,863

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 182,261
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Endorsements

To view Mueller's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Kipp Mueller completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mueller's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in California. My dad was a house painter, so a lot of my childhood was spent on roofs and ladders. I learned what it means to work hard for a living - to head home, sunburned and sore, proud that you put in a hard day’s work.

My mom was a community college counselor for students with disabilities. She brought home some of the most heroic and difficult stories I’ve heard in my life - students who defied all the odds in pursuit of their American dreams. I learned from a young age that we all have the potential to be great, and that we all stand to gain from one another’s success. Investing in our community comes back around to all of us. It means more prosperity, less poverty and hardship, and less crime.

Now, I’m a workers’ rights attorney, representing employees and union members. I also volunteer my time representing asylum seekers. I serve on numerous boards in efforts to promote more access to legal representation for those in need of assistance.

I graduated University of California, Berkeley in 2008 and from Columbia Law School in 2014, where I studied labor rights and employment law. After law school, I served in President Obama’s Department of Justice in the Consumer Protection Branch and later joined the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office to protect families by prosecuting sexual predators and fraudsters. I currently live in Canyon Country with my dog Baxter.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Strengthening our local economy: Creating a better life for our community means re-establishing a strong middle class that suits the 21st century. We can support both workers and small businesses by building a green energy economy in the 23rd Senate District and rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. We should also build a Cal State University or University of California, which will create a bustling local economy and put thousands of people to work. As a small business owner, I’m running for State Senate to help build a robust middle class so that jobs are available, businesses are thriving, and all of us feel secure that our bills will be paid, food will be on the table, and we'll be able to save money for our families’ futures.
Homelessness and Housing: No one should be sleeping on our streets. Especially not our veterans. Let’s end homelessness once and for all, starting with our veterans and our children. For too long, politicians have neglected the rise of housing prices and the rising costs of living here in California. Now, many families are one unexpected medical bill away from foreclosure or being unable to pay the rent. I will work to bring down housing costs and our cost of living to ensure people don’t fall into homelessness in the first place, and prioritize policies that will help end homelessness in California.
A quality education for every child: I’m proud to have attended public schools from Kindergarten through college. I look forward to having the chance to give back to our public school system as your next State Senator. Quality education is a civil right, not a privilege. Every child is entitled to a high-quality education, regardless of which zip code they happen to live in. Particularly in light of the achievement gap caused by COVID-19, we need to fully fund our schools and provide more resources for our students, our teachers, our school staff, and our districts.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a workers’ right attorney, I see every single day the struggles facing working families. That’s why I am passionate about strengthening the economy and creating good jobs, ensuring we have housing that’s affordable for everyone, increasing access to quality education and healthcare, and tackling our homelessness crisis by ensuring everyone has a permanent home and more people don’t fall into homelessness in the first place. I am also passionate about keeping our communities safe, lifting our veterans, ensuring everyone has access to the reproductive healthcare they deserve, and tackling our climate crisis.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my father, a dedicated house painter, and my mother, a compassionate community college counselor for students with disabilities, as the two individuals whose examples I aspire to follow. My father's unwavering work ethic, demonstrated by the countless hours spent on rooftops and ladders, instilled in me the value of hard work and determination. His resilience in providing for our family, even in the face of physical challenges, serves as a constant source of inspiration. On the other hand, my mother's thirty-eight years of counseling students with disabilities have left an indelible mark on me. Her commitment to supporting and uplifting those facing unique challenges highlights the importance of empathy, understanding, and advocating for the underrepresented. Both my parents' dedication to their respective endeavors has shaped my values, fostering a desire to contribute meaningfully to my community and make a positive impact, much like they have throughout their lives.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The role of an elected official demands a combination of essential characteristics and principles to effectively serve their constituents and contribute to good governance. Foremost among these is integrity, as elected officials must maintain honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct to uphold public trust. Accountability is equally vital, necessitating a readiness to take responsibility for decisions and actions. Leadership skills are crucial for guiding and unifying diverse perspectives toward common goals, while empathy ensures a genuine understanding of the community's needs. Clear communication, collaboration, and adaptability are key to navigating complex issues and fostering cooperation. Problem-solving skills, representativeness, and courage further distinguish effective elected officials. A steadfast commitment to public service, accessibility to constituents, and a genuine dedication to the common good form the bedrock of principled governance. By embodying these qualities, elected officials can navigate the challenges of their role, prioritize the public interest, and contribute meaningfully to the betterment of their communities.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities for someone elected to public office encompass a multifaceted commitment to serving the community's best interests. First and foremost is the duty to represent constituents faithfully, actively engaging with their concerns and needs. Elected officials must enact policies that promote the well-being and progress of the community, addressing issues such as the economy, housing, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Transparency in decision-making and communication is paramount, ensuring that constituents are informed and involved in the democratic process. Responsiveness to the evolving needs of the community, coupled with a dedication to social justice and equality, is crucial for fostering an inclusive and equitable society. Furthermore, elected officials must collaborate with fellow legislators, community leaders, and stakeholders to enact meaningful change. Ultimately, the core responsibilities involve a tireless commitment to public service, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for all residents and contributing to the overall prosperity and harmony of the community.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Over the next decade, California is poised to face several significant challenges that require strategic and comprehensive solutions. One prominent issue is the ongoing climate crisis, with the state grappling with more frequent and severe wildfires, droughts, and other climate-related events. Addressing environmental sustainability, transitioning to clean energy sources, and implementing resilient infrastructure will be crucial. Additionally, housing affordability remains a pressing concern, as the state contends with a shortage of affordable homes and rising homelessness. Balancing economic growth with equitable housing solutions will be imperative. Education reform is another challenge, with a need to enhance access to quality education and adapt to evolving technological demands. Tackling these issues requires collaborative efforts, innovative policies, and a commitment to inclusivity to ensure California's resilience and prosperity in the face of the complex challenges that lie ahead.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely, I believe it is immensely beneficial to build relationships with other legislators, and I place a strong emphasis on bipartisanship. Constructive relationships across party lines foster an environment where diverse perspectives can be considered, leading to more thoughtful and inclusive policymaking. Bipartisanship is essential for finding common ground on critical issues, and transcending ideological differences to address the pressing needs of our communities. By cultivating relationships with legislators from both sides of the aisle, we can bridge gaps, promote collaboration, and work towards effective, bipartisan solutions. This approach not only enhances the efficiency of the legislative process but also strengthens the democratic foundation of governance, demonstrating that shared values and goals can unite lawmakers for the greater good of the constituents we collectively serve. In an era of polarization, fostering relationships with colleagues regardless of party affiliation is instrumental in creating a more cooperative and responsive government.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are foundational principles for effective and ethical governance. I firmly believe in the importance of openness and clarity in financial matters within the government. Transparency in budgeting, expenditures, and financial decision-making is essential for building public trust and ensuring that citizens are well-informed about how their tax dollars are utilized. Moreover, accountability mechanisms should be robust, holding government officials responsible for their actions and decisions. This includes transparent reporting and consequences for any misuse or mishandling of public funds. As a proponent of good governance, I am committed to implementing and upholding rigorous financial transparency measures to foster trust, enhance accountability, and ultimately strengthen the democratic foundations of our government.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2020

Kipp Mueller completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mueller's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My father was a house painter, so I grew up painting houses with my father, and my mother was a community college counselor for disabled students – both who taught me the value of hard work and giving back to my community.

After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley in 2008 and Columbia Law School in 2014, I worked for President Obama’s Department of Justice in the Consumer Protection Branch, and worked in a District Attorney’s Office to protect the community from sexual predators and fraudsters.

Today, I am a workers’ rights attorney, representing employees and union members in the High Desert against large corporations. I also provide pro-bono representation for asylum seekers who are currently in ICE detention in Adelanto.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I'm running for office because we need a representative who fight for the working and middle class far too often living paycheck to paycheck rather than a representative who puts large corporations and special interests first. As a workers’ rights attorney, I’ve taken on big corporations and special interests on behalf of hardworking families.
I will ensure that California has a robust 21st century working class by creating more career paths and good paying jobs, expand access to affordable and quality healthcare, fight for housing people can afford and rebuild our crumbling infrastructure.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Rebuilding our middle-class

Over the last several decades, costs of living have continued to rise while wages have remained virtually stagnant. Income inequality continues to grow. Working families are becoming increasingly fearful of the first of the month, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. The basic bills — healthcare premiums, the mortgage or the rent, the electricity bill — are digging deeper and deeper into our pockets. I will rebuild our working middle-class by creating good-paying jobs in our community, fighting for affordable health care for everyone, and making sure housing is affordable to all.

Combating climate change and protect our families from fires
We are witnessing the devastating effects of climate change in real time. Here in California, wildfires are decimating entire cities and water is becoming increasingly scarce. Meanwhile, Big Oil continues to purchase our politicians and has nearly enough legislative support to block meaningful steps towards a safe environment and a robust clean energy economy.

I strongly believe that our politics must catch up with our science. Only with true bold leadership can we lead the world’s clean energy revolution. I will fight to invest in our state’s climate reduction programs while putting people to work with stable mortgage-paying careers and save our planet in the process.

Ending homelessness once and for all in California

We have a serious housing shortage and not enough housing people can afford. As a result, rent prices and mortgages skyrocket, forcing families to give up their savings. I will work tirelessly to bring down housing costs and end homelessness in California, starting with our veterans and unhoused families.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Painting houses! Growing up, I spent my summers painting houses with my father.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Note: Mueller submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on October 23, 2020.

February 14 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Sacramento, California. My father was a house painter, so I grew up painting houses with his father. His mother recently retired after 38 years as a community college counselor for students with disabilities.

I graduated University of California, Berkeley in 2008 and Columbia Law School in 2014, where I extensively studied and researched labor and employment law. I then worked for President Obama's Department of Justice in the Consumer Protection Branch, and joined the Santa Clara District Attorney's Office consumer fraud and sex crime units.

Eventually, I started and sold a small business (an online education company) and I am now a partner at a workers' rights attorney law firm, representing employees and union members in the High Desert against large corporations. He is also a pro bono asylum attorney, representing asylum seekers who are currently in ICE detention in Adelanto, CA.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I'm running for office because we need a representative who fight for the working and middle class, and not just people who talk the talk.
I will take on the special interests to fight for access to affordable, high quality healthcare, rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and put people to work building a clean energy economy.
I will work to build a local economy and introduce thousands of new well-paying jobs to SCV and the High Desert, bring down housing prices and find a path to ending homelessness once and for all in California.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1) Rebuilding the middle class by:

- creating higher wage career paths
- expanding access to affordable, high quality healthcare
- making housing more affordable
- rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure

2) Combating climate change and protect our community from fires;

3) Ending homelessness once and for all in California.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Painting houses! My dad was a house painter. Growing up, I spent my summers on roofs and on ladders.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Note: Mueller submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on February 14, 2020.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Kipp Mueller campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	California State Senate District 23	Lost general	$6,236,150	$3,887,218
2020	California State Senate District 21	Lost general	$1,806,364	N/A**
Grand total			$8,042,514	$3,887,218
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Noteworthy events

Career history investigation (2024)

On September 3, 2024, RedState published an investigation alleging that Mueller fabricated details regarding his work history. The article stated that Mueller "was never employed by the U.S. Department of Justice or the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office" and that there was "no evidence that he prosecuted fraudsters and sexual abusers."^[3]

On September 4, 2024, Mueller told The Signal, a newspaper in Santa Clarita, that he "worked as a prosecutor with the DOJ through an externship program while at Columbia Law School and then as a clerk for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office working with the consumer fraud unit before being transferred to the sex crimes unit."^[4]

In an interview with The Signal, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami stated, "Law clerks and legal externs are not prosecutors. They are definitely not ‘child abuse prosecutors,’ ‘sex crimes prosecutors’ or ‘gang prosecutors.’ Law clerks assist attorneys and judges with legal research, writing motions and other tasks, and can handle lower-level preliminary hearings and trials with the direct supervision of a DDA."^[4]

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

California State Senate District 23

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 14, 2020
↑ Ballotpedia staff, "Email communication with Cesar Toledo, Mueller campaign manager," October 23, 2020
↑ RedState, "EXCLUSIVE: CA Dem Candidate Kipp Mueller Claims He's a Former Prosecutor, But Records Don't Back That Up," September 3, 2024
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 The Signal, "Senate candidate Mueller defends claims about law experience," September 4, 2024

[show]

Current members of the California State Senate

Leadership

Minority Leader:Brian Jones

Senators

District 1

Megan Dahle (R)

District 2

Mike McGuire (D)

District 3

Christopher Cabaldon (D)

District 4

Marie Alvarado-Gil (R)

District 5

Jerry McNerney (D)

District 6

Roger Niello (R)

District 7

Jesse Arreguín (D)

District 8

Angelique Ashby (D)

District 9

Tim Grayson (D)

District 10

Aisha Wahab (D)

District 11

Scott Wiener (D)

District 12

Shannon Grove (R)

District 13

Josh Becker (D)

District 14

Anna Caballero (D)

District 15

Dave Cortese (D)

District 16

Melissa Hurtado (D)

District 17

John Laird (D)

District 18

Steve Padilla (D)

District 19

Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R)

District 20

Caroline Menjivar (D)

District 21

S. Limón (D)

District 22

Susan Rubio (D)

District 23

Suzette Valladares (R)

District 24

Ben Allen (D)

District 25

Sasha Renée Pérez (D)

District 26

Maria Durazo (D)

District 27

Henry Stern (D)

District 28

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D)

District 29

Eloise Reyes (D)

District 30

Bob Archuleta (D)

District 31

Sabrina Cervantes (D)

District 32

Kelly Seyarto (R)

District 33

Lena Gonzalez (D)

District 34

Tom Umberg (D)

District 35

Laura Richardson (D)

District 36

Tony Strickland (R)

District 37

Steven Choi (R)

District 38

Catherine Blakespear (D)

District 39

Akilah Weber (D)

District 40

Brian Jones (R)

Democratic Party (30)

Republican Party (10)

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 14, 2020

[2] Ballotpedia staff, "Email communication with Cesar Toledo, Mueller campaign manager," October 23, 2020

[3] RedState, "EXCLUSIVE: CA Dem Candidate Kipp Mueller Claims He's a Former Prosecutor, But Records Don't Back That Up," September 3, 2024

[thesignal-4] 4.0 ^4.1 The Signal, "Senate candidate Mueller defends claims about law experience," September 4, 2024

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Kipp Mueller

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for California State Senate District 23

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Senate District 23

Campaign finance

Endorsements

2020

General election

General election for California State Senate District 21

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Senate District 21

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2020

Campaign finance summary

Noteworthy events

Career history investigation (2024)

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

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