Democrat Dave Min successfully claimed a U.S. House seat in California on Wednesday, securing a critical position for his party. This seat became available after incumbent Democratic Representative Katie Porter decided to pursue a U.S. Senate seat, endorsing Min as her preferred successor. Min, who serves as a state senator, emerged victorious over Republican Scott Baugh, who had previously lost to Porter in the 2022 midterm elections.

During the campaign, Min’s advertisements framed Baugh as an extremist whose policies could threaten abortion rights, effectively tapping into a key issue for voters. Conversely, Republican advertisements focused on Min’s advocacy for reforms in the criminal justice system during his time in the California State Assembly, attempting to sway public opinion against him.

The momentous victory was confirmed by the election results, with Min being declared the winner at 8:19 p.m. EST, marking a significant win for the Democrats in a competitive district of Orange County.