LOS ANGELES — In a significant political shift, Democrat Derek Tran has defeated Republican U.S. Representative Michelle Steel in a Southern California House district designed to amplify the representation of Asian Americans in Congress.
Steel reflected on her journey with a statement expressing that every ending makes way for new beginnings. She previously made history in 2020 when she became one of the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress alongside Washington state’s Democrat Marilyn Strickland.
Tran, a lawyer and advocate for workers’ rights, who is the son of Vietnamese refugees, announced his victory earlier this week. He described his win as a reflection of the determination and resilience present within the community, stating, “As the son of Vietnamese refugees, I understand firsthand the journey and sacrifices many families in our district have made for a better life.”
The outcome of this race came as one of the final decisions made for this electoral cycle. Currently, the Republicans hold 220 seats in the House, while the Democrats occupy 214. The Associated Press has not yet officially declared a winner in California’s 13th District, where Democrat Adam Gray has been narrowly leading Republican Representative John Duarte.
After initially leading on Election Day, Steel’s position diminished as late-arriving ballots tilted the results in Tran’s favor.
On Monday, Steel formally filed her candidacy with federal authorities, which permits her to continue fundraising efforts. However, her intentions regarding a future in Congress remain unclear.
Throughout the campaign, Tran highlighted concerns regarding Republican attacks on abortion rights. Steel holds a pro-life stance but makes exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is at risk, while stopping short of endorsing a federal ban. Tran further warned that the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the presidency could jeopardize democratic values.
In her time on Capitol Hill, Steel has been a vocal opponent of tax increases, aligning herself firmly with Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas, asserting that the U.S. must always support its key ally in the Middle East. Additionally, she emphasizes the need for increased funding for police and has highlighted her commitment to addressing domestic violence and sexual abuse.
The district, primarily situated in Orange County just southeast of Los Angeles, is predominantly Asian American and is home to the nation’s largest Vietnamese community, with Democrats holding a slight 4-point registration advantage in the area.
