First-time Democratic candidate Derek Tran has narrowly flipped California’s 45th Congressional District, defeating incumbent Republican Rep. Michelle Steel after a prolonged vote count. Steel conceded Wednesday, with Tran leading by approximately 600 votes.
This closely watched race in Orange County saw over $46 million spent by the campaigns and outside groups, making it the most expensive House contest in the nation. The district, which backed President Joe Biden in 2020, had been a target for Democrats eager to regain control of key swing seats.
Tran, the son of Vietnamese refugees, emphasized his personal story to appeal to the district’s significant Asian American electorate, including its influential Vietnamese community. Steel, a Korean American, had historically performed well with these voters but struggled to maintain support amid Tran’s sharp focus on her past backing of a national abortion ban.
Steel’s campaign attacked Tran’s pre-campaign legal work, highlighting his representation of controversial clients in wrongful termination lawsuits. Despite these attacks, Tran’s message resonated enough with voters to secure a narrow victory in this competitive race.
