Kevin Mullin Bio
Kevin Mullin (born June 15, 1970) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California’s 15th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented California’s 22nd State Assembly district from 2012 to 2022 and served as the Assembly’s speaker pro tempore from 2014 to 2022. Before his time in elected office, Mullin built a career as a local entrepreneur and served on the South San Francisco City Council, including a one-year stint as mayor.
Born in Daly City, California, Mullin is the son of former California State Assemblymember Gene Mullin, whose own public service helped shape his son’s path into politics. Over more than two decades in public life, Mullin has worked at the local, state, and federal levels, building a reputation on the San Francisco Peninsula for his work on transportation, public safety, and constituent services.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Mullin was born in Daly City, California, on June 15, 1970. He grew up in a household shaped by public service, as his father, Gene Mullin, would go on to serve three terms in the California State Assembly. He attended public and Catholic elementary schools before graduating from Junípero Serra High School in 1988.
After high school, Mullin attended the University of San Francisco, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1992. He later returned to higher education, completing a master of public administration at San Francisco State University in 1998. To round out his professional training, Mullin completed an executive leadership program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in 2003.
Path to US Politics
Before entering politics, Mullin worked as a local business owner and served as district director to then-state senator Jackie Speier. He also served as political director for his father, Gene Mullin, gaining firsthand experience in campaign strategy and legislative work. These early roles gave him a working knowledge of the San Francisco Peninsula region and the issues that mattered most to its residents.
As an entrepreneur, Mullin founded KM2 Communications, a multimedia production business based in South San Francisco. Through the company, he produced public affairs programming on local television and hosted various programs on Peninsula-TV Channel 26. In 2007, he transitioned into elected office when he won a seat on the South San Francisco City Council, later serving one year as mayor of the city.
Kevin Mullin Career
Early Career (2007–2011)
Mullin was elected to the South San Francisco City Council in 2007. During his single term on the council, he also represented the cities of San Mateo County on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, an important regional body that plans transportation investments across the Bay Area. He also served a one-year stint as mayor, leading the city through a period of economic recovery following the late-2000s recession.
His council work established Mullin as a steady voice on local issues ranging from public safety to infrastructure. The experience helped him build a network of supporters across the Peninsula that would prove useful in his later campaigns for higher office.
California State Assembly Breakthrough (2012–2022)
Mullin was first elected to the California State Assembly in 2012, representing the 22nd district, which encompassed most of the San Francisco Peninsula region. During his first term, he served as assistant speaker pro tempore, and in 2014 he was elevated to speaker pro tempore of the Assembly, a position he held until leaving office in 2022. In that role, he regularly presided over Assembly floor sessions and served as part of Speaker Anthony Rendon’s leadership team.
Among the notable pieces of legislation from Mullin’s tenure was Proposition 19, which offered support for fire victims, disabled residents, and the elderly. The measure narrowly passed. He left office on December 5, 2022, and was succeeded in the Assembly by Diane Papan.
As speaker pro tempore, Mullin helped manage the Assembly’s legislative calendar and worked closely with Democratic leadership. His decade in Sacramento gave him a strong record of state-level accomplishments before he set his sights on Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2023–Present)
Following the retirement of Representative Jackie Speier, Mullin announced his candidacy to succeed her in the 2022 election. He defeated San Mateo County supervisor David Canepa with 55.8% of the vote, campaigning on a platform of continuity and regional representation. Mullin described himself as a pro-Israel lawmaker, and AIPAC spent approximately 600,000 dollars supporting his general-election campaign.
Mullin was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on January 7, 2023, when the 118th Congress convened. Since taking office, he has served on congressional committees and continued his work on transportation and local issues affecting the Bay Area. He was sworn in for the 119th Congress, continuing his service representing the 15th congressional district.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most dramatic moments of Mullin’s early congressional career came on February 25, 2025, when he left a California hospital bed with an IV still attached to fly to Washington for an emergency vote against a budget resolution backed by President Trump. Several Democrats who were absent with medical issues were secretly brought to Washington at the request of Democratic leadership, and the resolution ultimately passed by the narrowest possible margin.
Kevin Mullin Career Wins
Kevin Mullin’s career has been defined by steady electoral success at the local, state, and federal levels. After serving on the South San Francisco City Council and a term as mayor, he won election to the California State Assembly in 2012 and held that seat for a decade. He then carried that momentum into Congress with a victory in the 2022 election for California’s 15th congressional district.
California State Assembly Highlights
Mullin was first elected to the Assembly in 2012, representing California’s 22nd district. He was elevated to speaker pro tempore in 2014 and held the position for eight years, making him one of the longest-serving presiding officers of the chamber. His tenure ended in December 2022 when he departed to take his seat in Congress.
Other Wins and Achievements
Beyond his Assembly tenure, Mullin won election to the U.S. House in 2022, defeating David Canepa with 55.8% of the vote. He also served as mayor of South San Francisco and represented the cities of San Mateo County on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. His executive education at Harvard Kennedy School in 2003 added to his credentials as a public servant.
Kevin Mullin Family
Family Background and Political Lineage
Mullin is the son of Gene Mullin, a former California State Assemblymember who served three terms in the chamber. Growing up in a politically active household gave Kevin Mullin early exposure to campaigning and the legislative process. He later worked as a political director for his father before launching his own campaigns.
Personal Life
Mullin is married to Jessica Stanfill Mullin, with whom he has twin sons. The family has been a central part of his public life, and he has often spoken about the importance of representing the communities where they live on the San Francisco Peninsula.