Derek Tran Extends Narrow Lead Over Rep. Michelle Steel in OC’s Tightest Congressional Race

Democratic challenger Derek Tran has somewhat widened his pb implicit incumbent Republican Congresswoman Michelle Steel Monday successful 1 of the astir competitory legislature districts successful the state – the 45th Congressional District.

As of Monday evening, Tran was 122 votes up of Steel aft taking a constrictive pb successful the contention implicit the weekend, according to results posted by California’s Secretary of State.

[Read: Derek Tran Pulls Ahead of Rep. Michelle Steel successful OC’s Tightest Congressional Race]

From left, Michelle Steele a erstwhile region supervisor and Derek Tran some are moving for Congress. Credit: CAMPAIGN SITES

Both candidates are  holding onto 50% of the ballot successful 1 of lone 5 races for the House of Representatives near successful the state that person not been called by the Associated Press arsenic of Monday evening.

In a Monday statement, Tran’s run manager, Gowri Buddiga, said the run was optimistic astir the outcome.

“Voters successful Orange and Los Angeles County merit to person their voices heard, and we are assured that arsenic the remaining vote-by-mail, provisional, and conditional ballots are tallied, Derek Tran volition look victorious,” reads the statement. 

The territory stretches from Los Angeles County – including Cerritos, Artesia, Hawaiian Gardens and Lakewood – into Orange County and encompasses Little Saigon.

Monday’s results travel aft Democrats already won Orange County’s different competitory legislature contention successful the 47th territory aft Republican Scott Baugh conceded to Democrat State Senator Dave Min earlier this week.

[Read: Dave Min Wins OC’s Coastal Congressional Seat]

State Sen. Dave Min speaks to reporters during the OC lipid spill of 2021. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

It looks similar Democrats volition instrumentality a bulk of the county’s legislature seats – a inclination that began successful 2018  after each of Orange County’ Republican Congressional delegation were swept by Democratic challengers.

In the 49th District, Mike Levin is acceptable to bent onto his spot again with astir 52% of the vote, starring Republican challenger Matt Gunderson by a borderline of implicit 16,000 votes.

In the 38th District, which mostly sits successful LA County but includes the metropolis of La Habra, Democrat Linda Sanchez is acceptable to bent onto her seat, presently holding astir 60% of the vote.

In the 40th District, which takes up the eastbound broadside of the county, Republican Young Kim was connected way to triumph with astir 55% of the vote. 

Democrat Lou Correa was starring with astir 63% of the ballot successful the 46th legislature district, keeping a spot he’s held since 2017. 

Hosam Elattar is simply a Voice of OC newsman and corps subordinate with Report for America, a GroundTruth initiative. Contact him astatine helattar@voiceofoc.org oregon connected Twitter @ElattarHosam.

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