Dave Min

Dave Min is an American lawyer and politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 47th congressional district, a position he has held since January 3, 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Min previously represented California's 37th State Senate district from 2020 to 2024. His political career has been marked by a focus on issues related to financial regulation, domestic violence, and environmental policy. Before entering politics, Min was an academic, serving as an assistant law professor at the University of California, Irvine.

Early life and career

Dave Min was born on March 5, 1976, in Providence, Rhode Island, and later grew up in Palo Alto, California. His parents immigrated to the United States from South Korea in 1972 to pursue their doctoral studies at Brown University. Min's educational journey began at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned 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. He subsequently attended Harvard Law School, obtaining his Juris Doctor in 2002.

Following his graduation from law school, Min embarked on a career in financial regulation. He began as a staff attorney at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where he gained experience in overseeing financial markets. He then served as counsel to Senator Chuck Schumer on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee and later as counsel and senior policy advisor to the Joint Economic Committee. In 2009, Min joined the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, where he worked as the associate director for financial markets policy and supervised the Mortgage Finance Working Group.

In 2012, Min transitioned to academia, becoming an assistant law professor at the University of California, Irvine. His academic focus included banking law, capital markets, and real estate finance. During this time, he also testified before the House Financial Services Subcommittee regarding the impact of the Dodd-Frank Financial Regulations. In 2022, he successfully passed the California bar exam, further solidifying his legal credentials.

House tenure

Min's political career began to take shape with his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, when he sought to represent California's 45th congressional district. His campaign was motivated by a desire to respond to national political developments, particularly the actions of the Trump administration regarding immigration. Although he received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party, Min finished third in the primary election, trailing incumbent Congresswoman Mimi Walters and fellow candidate Katie Porter.

In 2020, Min shifted his focus to the California State Senate, where he successfully ran for the 37th district seat. He won the primary against Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley and subsequently defeated incumbent Republican John Moorlach in the general election, assuming office on December 7, 2020. During his tenure in the State Senate, Min introduced various pieces of legislation aimed at addressing issues such as domestic violence, harassment on public transit, and environmental concerns related to offshore oil drilling.

In January 2023, Min announced his candidacy for California's 47th congressional district after incumbent Katie Porter decided to run for the U.S. Senate. Despite facing challenges, including an arrest for driving under the influence in 2023, Min continued his campaign and advanced to the general election after finishing second in the primary. He ultimately won the election against Republican nominee Scott Baugh, with the Associated Press projecting his victory on November 13, 2024.

Min was sworn into office on January 3, 2025. His tenure in the House has begun with a focus on various legislative issues, including a notable vote against a bill that would classify sexual and domestic violence as deportable offenses. He was also among a group of House Democrats who voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act in 2025.

Legislative focus and committees

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Min has been assigned to several committees that reflect his legislative interests and expertise. He serves on the Committee on Natural Resources, where he is involved in subcommittees focused on energy and mineral resources, as well as water, wildlife, and fisheries. Additionally, he is a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, specifically on the subcommittee addressing economic growth, energy policy, and regulatory reform.

Min's legislative focus encompasses a range of issues, including environmental policy, economic regulation, and social justice. His background in financial regulation and law informs his approach to legislative matters, particularly those related to economic growth and consumer protection. Through his committee assignments and legislative initiatives, Min aims to address pressing concerns in his district and contribute to broader national discussions on policy.

In summary, Dave Min's career reflects a blend of legal expertise, academic involvement, and political engagement. His journey from a law professor to a U.S. Representative illustrates his commitment to public service and advocacy for the issues he deems important for his constituents and the nation. As he continues his term in the House, Min's legislative actions and committee work will likely shape his impact on both local and national levels.