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David Kunnghee Min (born March 5, 1976) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. representative from California's 47th congressional district since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the 37th district in the California State Senate, which includes portions of Orange County, from 2020 to 2024. He was an assistant law professor at the University of California, Irvine prior to being elected to office.

Key Information

Min ran in the 2018 election to represent California's 45th congressional district but was defeated in the nonpartisan blanket primary by incumbent Congresswoman Mimi Walters and fellow UC Irvine professor Katie Porter, who went on to defeat Walters in the general election.[1] He was elected to the state senate in the 2020 elections after defeating Costa Mesa mayor and future Orange County Board of Supervisors member Katrina Foley in the primary and then by narrowly defeating incumbent Republican John Moorlach in the November election.[2]

Min defeated Republican nominee Scott Baugh in the 2024 election to represent California's 47th congressional district.[3]

Early life and career

[edit]

Min was born on March 5, 1976, in Providence, Rhode Island, and raised in Palo Alto, California.[4] His parents immigrated to the United States from South Korea in 1972 to pursue doctoral degrees at Brown University.[5] He attended the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Science in economics from the Wharton School and a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the School of Arts and Sciences, both in 1999.[6] He then attended Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2002.[7]

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Min worked in financial regulation as a staff attorney at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as a counsel to Senator Chuck Schumer on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, and as counsel and senior policy advisor to the Joint Economic Committee.[8][9] In 2009, he joined the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, as its associate director for financial markets policy and supervisor of its Mortgage Finance Working Group.[10][11]

He became an assistant law professor at the University of California, Irvine in 2012 and focused on banking law, capital markets, and real estate finance.[9] The same year, he testified about the impact of Dodd-Frank Financial Regulations to the House Financial Services Subcommittee.[12] He passed the California bar exam in 2022.[13]

Early political career

[edit]

2018 congressional campaign

[edit]

Min announced his House candidacy on April 5, 2017, challenging incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters in California's 45th congressional district.[14] Min stated he was inspired to run for Congress after President Donald Trump temporarily suspended immigration from certain predominantly Muslim countries, which he said was a "slap in the face" to the son of two immigrants.[15] Min said there is a new "groundswell of political consciousness" nationally among Korean Americans, with people starting to feel comfortable enough to enter politics.[16]

Min received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party at its State Convention in February 2018 after a contentious floor fight where he barely received the necessary 60% of the vote.[17][18]

Min criticized Walters for living outside of the district and for refusing to hold public or in-person town halls.[5] Min came in third place in the primary election behind Walters and Katie Porter.[1] Porter went on to win the general election.

California State Senate

[edit]
Official portrait as state senator, 2023

On January 9, 2019, Min announced his campaign against State Senator John Moorlach to represent the California's 37th State Senate district.[19] In the primary election, Min defeated Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley, thus advancing to the general election to face Moorlach.[20]

Min narrowly defeated Moorlach in the fall of 2020 with 51.2% of the vote.[21] He assumed office on December 7, 2020. His term lasted four years.[22]

While in office, Min introduced legislation related to violence, including bills to expand protections for survivors of domestic abuse, study harassment on California's transit systems, make child custody cases private by default, and reduce gun shows and sales on state-owned property.[23][24][25][26][27]

Min also introduced legislation to facilitate the termination of offshore oil drilling leases in Orange County following the 2021 Huntington Beach oil spill, but it died following opposition from the oil industry and trade unions.[28] Some lawmakers, including Bob Hertzberg, expressed concerns about the cost of Min's proposed legislation.[29]

U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

2024

[edit]
Main article: 2024 California's 47th congressional district election

Min announced a second campaign for Congress in January 2023, running for California's 47th congressional district.[30] Katie Porter, the incumbent representative who defeated Min in the 2018 congressional primary, vacated the seat to run in the 2024 United States Senate election in California and endorsed Min to succeed her.[31] After Min was arrested and convicted for a DUI, former representative Harley Rouda called for him to drop out of the race. Min declined to leave the race.

He finished second in the top two primary for CA-47 and advanced to the general election.[32] He faced Scott Baugh, a former assemblymember who was Porter's opponent in 2022. The Associated Press projected Min to be the winner of the election on November 13.[33]

Tenure

[edit]

Min was sworn in on January 3, 2025.

Min voted against a bill, introduced by Republicans and backed by over 60 House Democrats, that would make sexual and domestic violence deportable offenses.[34]

In 2025, Min was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act.[35]

Committee assignments

[edit]

Caucus membership

[edit]

Personal life

[edit]

Min is married to Jane Stoever, a clinical professor of law at UC Irvine.[38] She works on domestic violence issues.[39] They have three children.[5] He is Episcopalian.[40]

Min was arrested in Sacramento for drunk driving in 2023.[41] He had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit and did not have his headlights on when he was pulled over for driving through a red light.[42] Min pleaded no contest, and was sentenced to three years informal probation.[43] The Anaheim Observer reported that "instead of quitting the race, Min announced he is quitting drinking," citing a social media post of Min's.[44]

Electoral history

[edit]

2018

[edit]
2018 California's 45th congressional district election
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mimi Walters (incumbent) 86,764 51.7
Democratic Katie Porter 34,078 20.3
Democratic Dave Min 29,979 17.8
Democratic Brian Forde 10,107 6.0
No party preference John Graham 3,817 2.3
Democratic Kia Hamadanchy 3,212 1.9
Total votes 167,957 100.0
General election
Democratic Katie Porter 158,906 52.1
Republican Mimi Walters (incumbent) 146,383 47.9
Total votes 305,289 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

2020

[edit]
2020 California's 37th State Senate district election
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Moorlach (incumbent) 132,275 47.3
Democratic Dave Min 78,293 28.0
Democratic Katrina Foley 68,952 24.7
Total votes 279,520 100.0
General election
Democratic Dave Min 270,522 51.1
Republican John Moorlach (incumbent) 258,421 48.9
Total votes 528,943 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

2024

[edit]
2024 California's 47th congressional district election[45][46]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Scott Baugh 57,517 32.1
Democratic Dave Min 46,393 25.9
Democratic Joanna Weiss 34,802 19.4
Republican Max Ukropina 26,585 14.8
Republican Long Pham 4,862 2.7
No party preference Terry Crandall 2,878 1.6
Democratic Boyd Roberts 2,570 1.4
No party preference Tom McGrath 1,611 0.9
No party preference Bill Smith 1,062 0.6
Democratic Shariq Zaidi 788 0.4
Total votes 179,068 100.0
General election
Democratic Dave Min 181,721 51.4
Republican Scott Baugh 171,554 48.6
Total votes 353,275 100.0
Democratic hold

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dave Min

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from Grokipedia
David Kunnghee Min (born March 5, 1976), known as Dave Min, is an American attorney and Democratic politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2025. A graduate of the and , he worked as a securities enforcement attorney for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and later as a faculty member at the School of Law, specializing in banking, housing, and securities law. Min entered elective office as a member of the representing the 37th district from 2020 to 2024, where he chaired the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water and advocated for measures on prevention, policy, and economic relief for small businesses, including authoring bills to ban gun shows on state property and provide pandemic-era grants. His legislative record earned endorsements from environmental and reproductive rights groups, reflecting priorities such as ending offshore oil drilling and protecting abortion access. In , Min serves on committees addressing and natural resources, continuing focus on regulatory accountability and environmental sustainability. Min's political career has included unsuccessful bids, such as a congressional run, and faced controversies, notably a 2023 misdemeanor citation for while serving in the state senate, which drew attention during his 2024 House campaign against Republican in the competitive Orange County district. He ultimately prevailed in the November 2024 election, securing the seat previously held by Democrat . Born to Korean immigrant parents who survived the , Min emphasizes policies supporting immigrant communities and economic opportunity in his district spanning coastal Orange County areas like Irvine and Huntington Beach.

Early life and education

Family background and immigration

Dave Min was born on March 5, 1976, in to South Korean immigrant parents. His parents, who survived the (1950–1953), immigrated to the seeking economic opportunities, part of a broader wave of Korean migration following the postwar division of the peninsula. As a first-generation Korean American, Min has frequently highlighted his family's immigrant experience as shaping his commitment to policies supporting and democratic institutions. No detail the exact date or circumstances of his parents' arrival, though Min's biographies consistently attribute his upbringing to the opportunities afforded by American society to postwar Korean refugees and their descendants.

Academic and early professional development

Min earned a and a from the in 1999, graduating magna cum laude from both the of Business and the School of Arts and Sciences, and was elected to . He subsequently received a degree from . After , Min commenced his legal career as a staff attorney in the enforcement division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, contributing to investigations and actions aimed at corporate accountability amid high-profile scandals including and WorldCom. He later served as an associate in the securities litigation practice group at the Washington, D.C.-based WilmerHale, handling matters related to financial markets and regulatory disputes. These roles established his initial expertise in financial and policy.

Pre-political career

Prior to entering politics, Dave Min worked as a staff attorney in the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Division of Enforcement, where he prosecuted cases of financial fraud following the Enron and WorldCom scandals. In this role, he focused on holding accountable parties involved in securities violations and protecting investors from misconduct in public markets. Min subsequently served as an associate in the securities litigation practice group at WilmerHale, a Washington, D.C.-based , handling disputes related to financial regulations and enforcement actions. This experience built on his SEC background, involving representation in complex litigation over alleged breaches of federal securities laws. His regulatory expertise extended to policy advising, including as banking counsel for U.S. Senator on the Senate Banking Committee and as senior policy advisor and counsel for the Joint Economic Committee of , where he contributed to oversight of financial institutions and implementation. Later, as associate director for financial markets policy at the Center for , Min specialized in housing finance reform and mortgage market regulations, testifying before six times on banking and housing issues. These positions spanned over a decade of engagement in federal financial regulatory law and policy.

Academic and advisory roles

Min served as an at the School of Law from June 2012 to December 2020, teaching business law with a focus on financial markets regulation, banking policy, and real estate finance. His research emphasized empirical analysis of regulatory impacts on housing markets and in financial institutions. During this period, Min testified before congressional committees six times on banking and housing policy issues, establishing himself as a cited expert in media and policy discussions. Before his academic appointment, Min held advisory roles in federal policy, including senior policy advisor and counsel to the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. , where he contributed to analyses of economic trends and regulatory reforms. He also served as counsel to the U.S. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for Senator , advising on financial oversight legislation post-2008 crisis. In parallel, Min acted as an economic policy advisor to Schumer, focusing on enforcement and market stability measures. From 2009 to June 2012, Min was associate director at the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning , directing initiatives on regulatory reform and . These positions built on his earlier experience as a staff attorney in enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission, though primarily in a prosecutorial rather than advisory capacity.

State-level political involvement

2018 congressional bid

In late 2017, Dave Min, a civil rights attorney with experience in securities enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and an adjunct professor at the School of Law, announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in , a Republican-held seat represented by incumbent . Min positioned his campaign around protecting healthcare access, criticizing Walters for supporting efforts to repeal the , and advocated for a public option or expanded Medicare as pragmatic steps toward broader coverage while expressing support for single-payer systems in principle. He also emphasized environmental protection through carbon pricing mechanisms, immigration reform including pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought as children, and investments in education and infrastructure to address Orange County-specific concerns like housing affordability and traffic congestion. The district, encompassing parts of Irvine, Laguna Nigel, and surrounding suburbs, had shifted toward Democrats in recent elections, prompting a crowded primary field with five Democratic contenders alongside Walters as the sole Republican under California's top-two primary system. Min secured endorsements from figures like U.S. Representative and Equality California, highlighting his background in civil rights litigation against discriminatory practices. However, intra-party tensions surfaced at the California Democratic Party's February 2018 convention, where progressive activists challenged Min's endorsement bid, viewing him as insufficiently aligned with bold policy shifts like Medicare for All and portraying rival , another UC Irvine law professor, as a stronger option. Campaigning intensified with negative ads; , a Democratic group supporting female candidates, condemned a Min television advertisement in May 2018 as misleading for attacking Porter's record on , arguing it sowed unnecessary division in a winnable district against Walters. Despite raising funds through small-dollar donations and emphasizing his prosecutorial experience against corporate wrongdoing, Min's effort faced resource competition from Porter and others. In the June 5, 2018, top-two primary, secured first place with 43.3% of the vote (44,123 votes), while Porter advanced to the general election with 17.8% (18,136 votes); Min placed third with 16.6% (16,955 votes), followed by Brian Forde at 11.4% and Kia Hamadanchy at 7.4%. Min conceded shortly after the results, congratulating Porter and urging party unity to flip the seat in November, which she ultimately did by defeating . The outcome underscored the challenges of California's nonpartisan primary in fragmenting Democratic votes against an entrenched , though it boosted Min's profile for future state-level runs.

2020 state senate campaign and election

Dave Min, an assistant professor of law at the , launched a campaign challenging Republican incumbent John Moorlach for California's 37th State Senate District, which encompasses portions of Orange County including Irvine, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach. The district was considered competitive, with a slight Republican lean based on recent presidential voting patterns. In the state's top-two on March 3, 2020, Moorlach received the plurality of votes at approximately 43.5%, while Min advanced as the second-place finisher with 27.6%, securing the Democratic and setting up a rematch. Other Republican candidates, including former Assemblymember Steven Choi, split the remaining votes but did not advance. Min's campaign emphasized economic fairness, including support for small businesses affected by the , expanded access to affordable healthcare, and protections against corporate price gouging. Moorlach, a fiscal conservative known for advocacy, countered by highlighting his record on reducing state deficits and opposing increases. The general election on November 3, 2020, drew high turnout amid the national presidential contest, with Min leading narrowly in initial returns from mail-in ballots. Final certified results showed Min defeating Moorlach by 12,442 votes, capturing 269,906 votes (51.16%) to Moorlach's 257,464 (48.84%) out of 527,370 total votes cast. The margin reflected a Democratic shift in Orange County suburbs, though Moorlach did not concede immediately, citing ongoing ballot processing. Min's victory flipped the seat, contributing to Democrats maintaining their in the state senate.

California State Senate tenure (2021–2025)

Key legislative initiatives

Min authored several bills aimed at curbing by restricting sales and shows on public property and enhancing dealer oversight. In 2021, he sponsored SB 264, which prohibited gun shows at the Orange County Fair and Event Center, effective January 1, 2022; the measure was signed into law and later cited as a precursor to statewide restrictions. Building on this, SB 915, enacted in 2022, extended the ban to all state-owned property, including fairgrounds and parks, making the first state to implement such a prohibition; the bill faced legal challenges but was partially upheld by federal courts in 2024. Additionally, SB 1384 (2022) mandated gun dealers to implement employee training, video surveillance, and secure storage to prevent theft and fraudulent purchases, while SB 241 (2023) further required annual safety audits and reporting; both were signed into law as part of broader packages strengthening 's firearms regulations. On environmental and energy issues, Min introduced measures to transition away from fossil fuels. SB 559 (2023) sought to prohibit new offshore oil drilling under existing leases in state waters, though it remained pending as of his departure from the Senate. He also authored SB 1221 (2024), which facilitated utilities' shift from gas infrastructure investments to clean energy alternatives in residential areas, promoting faster decarbonization; the bill was signed by Governor Newsom in September 2024. Min advanced protections related to , particularly —defined as abusive control over a partner's reproductive choices, affecting an estimated one in four women in abusive relationships. SB 374 (2021), which he sponsored, made the first state to explicitly recognize in protective orders, allowing courts to issue restraints against such acts; it was chaptered July 23, 2021. Complementary bills like SB 863 and SB 975 expanded victim remedies, including debt cancellation for coerced financial obligations, with five such measures enacted during his tenure. In economic relief efforts, Min co-authored SB 87, which appropriated $4.1 billion in grants for small businesses impacted by restrictions, and SB 666, targeting practices against minority- and women-owned enterprises; both were enacted to support recovery in sectors tied to housing affordability and local economies. He also contributed to Proposition 1, a 2022 enshrining reproductive rights, including and contraception access, which passed with 67% voter approval.

Bipartisan actions and criticisms

Min authored SB 965, which mandates the to report detailed data on inspections of firearms dealers and ammunition vendors, including staffing levels and compliance issues, as part of a broader package of gun safety measures signed into law by on September 24, 2024. The , framed within a bipartisan effort to enhance and prevent mass shootings, passed floor on August 28, 2024, with speakers noting its "overwhelming bipartisan support." In June 2024, Min endorsed Proposition 36, a initiative approved by voters in November 2024, which imposes harsher penalties for trafficking and repeat offenses while expanding access to addiction treatment programs. This position diverged from Democratic leadership, including Newsom's opposition and the state party's initial resistance, aligning instead with law enforcement endorsements and Republican-backed reforms to address rising crime rates post-Proposition 47. Min's support reflected a pragmatic response to constituent concerns in Orange County over retail and drug-related violence, earning praise from police groups but drawing implicit pushback from progressive factions wary of reverting to punitive measures. Critics from the left, including elements within organized labor and advocates, faulted Min's Proposition 36 endorsement as undermining rehabilitation-focused policies, arguing it risked mass incarceration without sufficient evidence of efficacy in reducing . Conversely, conservative outlets and opponents in his congressional campaigns portrayed his overall record as insufficiently tough on public safety, citing Orange County's homicide spike during his tenure—up 25% from 2019 to 2023—as evidence of failed Democratic governance, though Min attributed trends to broader post-pandemic factors and state-level policy shifts. No major scandals or ethics probes marred his service, but his moderate stances on elicited accusations of amid competitive reelection dynamics.

2024 U.S. House campaign

Primary competition

In California's top-two primary system, the March 5, 2024, election for the 47th congressional district featured nine candidates vying to succeed retiring Democratic Representative , with the top two vote-getters advancing regardless of party affiliation. Dave Min, a emphasizing his legislative experience and moderate positions, competed primarily against fellow Democrat Joanna Weiss, a civil attorney who positioned herself as a progressive alternative backed by pro-Israel groups critical of Min's stances on . The intraparty contest turned contentious, with attack ads from both sides highlighting personal and policy differences, including Weiss accusing Min of insufficient support for and Min portraying Weiss as too far left for the swing district. Republican Scott Baugh, a former state assemblyman, emerged as the primary leader with strong conservative backing, while Min consolidated Democratic support through endorsements from party leaders and labor unions. Other Republican contenders, including businessman Max Ukropina, split the GOP vote but failed to advance. Min secured second place with 25.9% of the vote (46,393 votes), edging out Weiss's 19.4% (34,802 votes) in a field where no candidate reached a majority.
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
Scott BaughRepublican57,51732.1%
Dave MinDemocratic46,39325.9%
Joanna WeissDemocratic34,80219.4%
Max UkropinaRepublican26,58514.8%
Min's advancement reflected his fundraising edge—raising over $3 million by the primary compared to Weiss's under $1 million—and voter preference for his incumbency in the state senate over Weiss's outsider appeal in the competitive district. The result set up a general election rematch with Baugh, who had narrowly lost to Porter in 2022.

General election dynamics

In the general election for California's 47th Congressional District on November 5, 2024, Democratic state Senator Dave Min faced Republican Scott Baugh, a former state assemblymember and Orange County Republican Party chair, in a contest for the open seat vacated by Rep. Katie Porter, who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate. The district, encompassing coastal areas of Orange County including Huntington Beach, Irvine, and Newport Beach, had favored Joe Biden by 11 percentage points in 2020, making it a Democratic-leaning but competitive battleground amid national Republican efforts to expand their House majority. Campaign dynamics centered on stark contrasts in policy priorities and personal attacks. Baugh emphasized tougher stances on and , criticizing Min's support for certain reforms and advocating for stricter border enforcement, while Min highlighted his legislative record on affordability and measures, positioning himself as a pragmatic Democrat focused on local issues like and economic pressures. Min outraised Baugh substantially, reporting over $400,000 in the second quarter of 2024 alone and more than doubling Baugh's totals in that period, which allowed for heavier advertising emphasizing Baugh's past controversial statements, including remarks perceived as denigrating 9/11 victims and veterans. Baugh countered by portraying Min as soft on and tied to progressive policies, leveraging his GOP endorsements and local party in a district where Republican had edged closer to parity. Polls throughout the cycle showed a tight race, with Min holding slight leads in some surveys but ties or narrow deficits in others, reflecting late shifts toward Republicans amid broader Orange County trends favoring GOP candidates in concurrent races. The candidates participated in forums and debates, including a October event where they clashed over public safety and federal spending, but no major gaffes altered the trajectory significantly. Min received endorsements from outlets like the , which praised his policy depth over Baugh's partisanship, while Baugh drew support from conservative groups targeting the seat as a flip opportunity. Min prevailed with approximately 51% of the vote to Baugh's 49%, a margin of about 4,000 votes in a race that remained uncalled on election night due to narrow results and high mail-in counts, with final certification confirming the outcome in mid-December 2024. Baugh conceded on , 2024, after trailing in updated tallies, preserving Democratic control of despite national headwinds and underscoring the resilience of its moderate voter base.

U.S. House of Representatives service (2025–present)

Committee assignments and caucuses

Upon entering the in January 2025 as part of the 119th , Dave Min received assignments to the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and the Joint Economic Committee. These placements reflect his focus on , government accountability, and economic issues pertinent to California's coastal districts. Min also participates in several informal caucuses and coalitions, including serving as co-chair of the Congressional Coastal Communities Caucus, which addresses challenges like and . He is a member of the , advocating for progressive priorities such as economic equity and social reforms. Additional affiliations include the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, focused on renewable energy transitions and climate mitigation, and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, which promotes legislative measures to reduce firearm-related incidents.

Early legislative record

Min introduced his first bill, the Aquatic Biodiversity Preservation Act, on February 13, 2025, to enhance monitoring and preservation of marine biodiversity along Southern California's coastline, including Orange County ecosystems threatened by and development. The legislation directs the to expand data collection on aquatic species and habitats, aiming to inform conservation policies without imposing new regulatory burdens. In January 2025, shortly after assuming office, Min voted in favor of H.R. 2, the Laken Riley Act, which mandates detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft or burglary and imposes stricter penalties for such offenses, diverging from typical Democratic positions on . This vote aligned with Republican priorities, reflecting Min's stated willingness to support measures addressing public safety concerns in his district. By June 2025, Min sponsored H.R. 3779, the STOCK Act 2.0, to amend the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act by prohibiting members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing or selling individual stocks, with violations subject to fines and disclosure requirements. He also introduced H.R. 4086, the Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2025, on June 23, providing federal grants for respite care and training programs to support families of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Min cosponsored the reauthorization of the Digital Coast Act on June 30, 2025, extending NOAA's mandate to deliver geospatial data and tools for coastal management, elevation, and resilience planning, in bipartisan collaboration with Rep. (R-VA). These early efforts emphasized , financial ethics, and family support, consistent with his committee role on Natural Resources. In August 2025, Min introduced the SAFE Act of 2025 (H.R. unspecified in initial reports), targeting safeguards for seniors' Social Security data against unauthorized access and misuse by private entities, with provisions for civil penalties and notifications. The bill's focus on protections followed reports of potential data vulnerabilities in federal systems.

Policy positions

Economic and regulatory stances

Dave Min advocates for an economic framework emphasizing investments in and workforce development to foster broad-based opportunity, rejecting "trickle-down" as ineffective. He has prioritized support for small businesses, authoring California's Small Business Relief Grant Program in 2020, which allocated $4.1 billion to aid Orange County enterprises during the downturn. Min has also sponsored bipartisan legislation to shield small businesses from practices and to mitigate nuisance litigation, while collaborating with Republicans to lessen certain regulatory burdens on these entities. On taxation, Min supports reversing federal tax cuts benefiting the wealthiest 1%, arguing that Republican-led policies exacerbate deficits without delivering promised growth. In 2025, he co-led a congressional letter urging the removal of the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions, a measure aimed at alleviating burdens in high-tax states like . Critics, including the , have accused him of backing tax increases through state budget votes that they claim harm job growth, though Min frames such actions as necessary for fiscal responsibility and public investments. Regarding trade, Min opposes broad tariffs, characterizing former President Trump's tariff proposals as equivalent to taxes that inflate costs and damage local economies, particularly in districts reliant on imports. He has publicly warned that such policies create unnecessary economic crises without addressing underlying issues. In regulatory matters, Min's background as a former Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement attorney informs his push for enhanced financial transparency and ethics rules, including the introduction of the 2.0 in 2025 to prohibit stock trading by members of and mandate stricter disclosures for federal officials. He supports reforms, such as overturning Citizens United, to curb undue influence from large donors. During his state senate tenure, Min authored SB 938 in 2023 to counter political influence peddling by investor-owned utilities, aiming to protect ratepayers from undue corporate sway. While favoring deregulation for small businesses, he endorses targeted oversight of larger financial and utility sectors to prevent abuses.

Social and foreign policy views

Min supports unrestricted access to and contraception, viewing reproductive autonomy as a fundamental right. He co-authored Proposition 1 in 2022, which amended the state constitution to explicitly protect and contraception rights, and sponsored Senate Bill 374 recognizing as a form of . Min has received perfect scores from and NARAL Pro-Choice America, and advocates for federal legislation to codify . On firearms, Min prioritizes gun violence prevention measures, including bans on assault weapons, universal background checks, red flag laws, ghost gun regulations, and liability for gun manufacturers. He has authored legislation prohibiting gun shows on state property and restricting firearm access for domestic abusers, earning an 'F' rating from the while receiving endorsements from gun control groups like Moms Demand Action. Min endorses equality for the LGBTQ+ community, opposing what he describes as conservative "culture war" attacks, and has secured endorsements from Equality California, the state's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. He supports anti-discrimination laws and has participated in community events addressing rising anti-LGBTQ+ incidents. Regarding criminal justice, Min favors a balanced approach emphasizing fair policing and public safety over expansive reforms, with endorsements from police organizations such as the Peace Officers Research Association of California and the Fraternal Order of Police. He has backed reforms to California's Proposition 47, which reduced penalties for certain theft and drug offenses, advocating for tougher measures on retail theft while authoring bills enhancing transit and gun-related safety. In foreign policy, Min condemns the October 7, 2023, attacks on as war crimes and expresses solidarity with , while critiquing former President Trump's approach to stability. He prefers diplomacy to resolve conflicts involving -Palestine, , and , rather than unilateral military action. Min supports providing military aid to to counter Russian aggression, describing it as essential to defend against "imperial aggression and crimes" and criticizing Republican delays in . On , he has warned that U.S. weakness under Trump encouraged Russian actions in and could invite similar threats from .

Controversies and criticisms

In May 2023, while serving as a California state senator and campaigning for the U.S. House of Representatives, Dave Min was arrested in Sacramento on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. California Highway Patrol officers pulled over Min's vehicle around 11 p.m. on May 2 after observing it weaving on the John F. Sutter Freeway; a preliminary breath test indicated a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, leading to his citation for misdemeanor DUI and release from custody that night. Min publicly acknowledged the incident the following day via a post, stating that his decision to drive was "irresponsible" and committing to cooperate fully with authorities while forgoing alcohol moving forward. The drew scrutiny during his congressional primary campaign, with opponents and political action committees later referencing it in advertisements, though Min maintained it did not impact his fitness for office. On August 29, 2023, Min pleaded no contest to the first-offense DUI charge in Sacramento County Superior Court. The court imposed a sentence including three years of unsupervised , fines and fees totaling $2,050, completion of a three-month alcohol education program, and a four-month suspension with restricted driving privileges for work and medical needs. No jail time was required, and Min fulfilled the probation terms without further incidents reported.

Public statements and associations

Min drew criticism for a January 30, 2025, post on X (formerly ) in which he labeled Karoline Leavitt a "fake Christian" after she referenced the biblical commandment against bearing in defending President Trump's policies; the remark prompted backlash for its personal attack on her . In August 2025, Min deleted an X post speculating on the nature of the relationship between and , which critics described as implying homophobic undertones and unprofessional for a sitting congressman. Following the September 2025 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Min issued a statement denouncing political violence while noting his disagreement with Kirk's "racist and divisive rhetoric," and he referenced his prior sponsorship of California Senate Bill 915 (2022), which banned gun shows at state fairgrounds, in broader comments linking the incident to gun control debates; opponents accused him of exploiting the tragedy to advance policy agendas and spreading incomplete information about the event's circumstances. Min has touted endorsements from the , including members of "the ," a group associated by critics with advocacy for reducing police funding and other left-wing policies, despite Min's own campaign emphasis on support and attacks on his opponent as a "defund the police" proponent. On Israel-Palestine issues, Min condemned Hamas's October 7, 2023, attacks as war crimes and affirmed support for Israel's right to defend its borders, but under constituent pressure in 2025, he advocated for increased to Gaza, criticized the killing of aid workers, and questioned whether the ongoing conflict served Israel's long-term interests.

Personal life and public image

Family and residence

Dave Min is the son of Korean immigrants. He is married to Jane Stoever, a founder and former executive director of the Orange County Asian American Bar Association. Min and Stoever have three young children, whom they are raising together in Irvine, California. Irvine is located in Orange County, within California's 47th congressional district, which Min represents in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Electoral and community engagements

Min first entered elective office by winning the California State Senate election for District 37 on November 3, 2020, securing the seat previously held by Republican John Moorlach. He represented portions of Orange County, including Irvine, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach, until resigning in late 2024 following his congressional victory. In the 2024 cycle, Min pursued , an open seat vacated by Katie Porter's Senate bid. He advanced from the March 5 top-two primary, finishing first among candidates including Republican and Democrat Joanna Weiss. Min defeated Baugh in the November 5 , with final certified results showing him prevailing by approximately 5 percentage points in the Biden-won district. Beyond campaigns, Min has participated in local community recognition efforts, such as honoring over 275 volunteers with Orange County Coastkeeper for environmental cleanup initiatives in August 2024. As a , he supported appropriations exceeding $70 million for Orange County projects including parks, open space preservation, and prevention, aiding community infrastructure. In September 2025, he commended Huntington Beach National Charity League participants for their volunteer hours amid federal service program disruptions.

Electoral history

In 2018, Min ran in the top-two primary for , finishing third with 17.8% of the vote (29,979 votes) behind Republican incumbent (24.4%) and Democrat (43.1%).
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
D118,66343.1%
R67,20624.4%
Dave MinD29,97917.8%
Other candidates-49,000+14.7%
Total275,000 approx.100%
Min won election to the from District 37 in 2020. In the primary, he advanced to the with 28.0% (78,293 votes) in a field including incumbent Republican John Moorlach (42.3%). In the November 3 general election, Min defeated Moorlach by 2.2 percentage points, receiving 51.1% (270,522 votes) to Moorlach's 48.9% (258,421 votes).
CandidatePartyPrimary VotesPrimary %General VotesGeneral %
Dave MinD78,29328.0%270,52251.1%
John M. W. MoorlachR118,41742.3%258,42148.9%
Others-82,000+29.7%--
Total279,000 approx.100%529,000 approx.100%
Min did not seek re-election to the State Senate in 2024, instead running for the U.S. House in . In the March 5, 2024, top-two primary, Min finished second with 25.9% (46,393 votes), advancing alongside Republican (34.4%). In the November 5 general election, Min defeated Baugh with 51.4% (181,721 votes) to Baugh's 48.6% (171,554 votes), securing the open seat previously held by .
CandidatePartyPrimary VotesPrimary %General VotesGeneral %
R61,05734.4%171,55448.6%
Dave MinD46,39325.9%181,72151.4%
Others-82,000+39.7%--
Total190,000 approx.100%353,000 approx.100%

References

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  87. https://www.facebook.com/daveminca/posts/last-night-i-was-cited-for-a-misdemeanor-for-driving-under-the-influence-my-deci/669547661648841/
  88. https://apple.news/AT8hOGwtoQFC3ZlmkVHuWhw
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  106. https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2025-09-23/national-charity-league-teenagers-from-huntington-beach-receive-community-service-recognition
  107. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/california-us-house-district-47-results
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