California Republican Rep. Michelle Steel is facing a highly competitive re-election campaign, with recent polls showing a tight race in California’s 45th Congressional District. Representing Orange County, Steel, a Korean American conservative, is running in a district with a significant Asian American population, which has become a focal point for both Republicans and Democrats in the 2024 election cycle.
Republican National Committee member and husband to Michelle Steel, Shawn Steel, shared with Newsmax: “The latest American Viewpoint poll showed Michelle up by 45 to 41%.”
Since her 2020 victory over Democrat Rep. Harley Rouda in a nearby district, Michelle Steel has become a primary target for Democrats in California, marking her place as the first Korean-American woman in Congress. In 2022, she secured her seat in the 45th District with 52% of the vote.
This year, Steel faces a strong challenge from Democrat Derek Tran, who has actively mobilized Vietnamese-American voters. Tran has aligned himself closely with Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now the Democratic presidential nominee.
In response, Steel, her husband Shawn, and a dedicated group of volunteers intensified their efforts in September, focusing on door-to-door outreach—a key strategy in her past campaigns. Steel’s team emphasized her differences with Tran on critical issues like abortion, government spending, and illegal immigration, aiming to solidify support among voters concerned about these priorities.
The race has garnered attention beyond California, as Republicans strive to maintain control of Steel’s seat while Democrats aim to make inroads in traditionally conservative areas.
Political analysts note that Steel’s success may depend heavily on turnout among conservative voters, as well as her ability to appeal to independent and undecided voters in the district. With her record of championing local business interests and advocating for limited government, she hopes to secure the support needed to win in a closely watched race.
As the election approaches, both parties are closely monitoring this battleground district, which could impact the balance of power in Congress. Steel’s campaign remains confident, focusing on the message of economic opportunity, safety, and abortion, key issues in her district that she believes will resonate with voters on Election Day.
