Democrat Tran increases lead over GOP incumbent Steel in House race

Democratic challenger Derek Tran has a 519-vote lead Saturday over Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in the 45th Congressional District race, according to the latest vote total.

Tran is ahead 157,075-156,556 votes, or 50.1% to 49.9%, the California Secretary of State’s Office reported. Entering Friday’s resumption of vote counting, Tran led by 480 votes, 397 entering Thursday’s counting, 314 entering Wednesday’s and 102 entering Tuesday’s.

Tran, a consumer rights attorney who co-owns True Care Pharmacy in Anaheim with his wife Michelle, leads 156,576-156,096 votes, or 50.1% to 49.9%, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

The Democratic challenger overtook the lead last weekend. He trailed by as many as 11,363 until Nov. 16, when the California Secretary of State’s Office reported Tran was 36 votes ahead of Steel.

Tran trailed by 7,590 votes on Nov. 8; 6,901 on Nov. 9; 6,128 Nov. 10 when only LA County ballots were processed; 3,908 Nov. 11; 2,227 Nov. 12; 349 Nov. 13; 236 Nov. 14; and 58 Nov. 15.

Only previously unprocessed ballots in Orange County were counted Saturday, Nov. 16. No ballots were counted Sunday, Nov. 17.

Tran first lead in the race following the Nov. 16 tally was 152,981-152,945 votes.

In the Orange County portion of the district, Tran trailed 141,734-138,039, or 50.7%-49.3%, when vote counting concluded Friday night. He leads in the LA County portion that includes Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens and a section of Lakewood 19,036-14,822, or 56.2%-43.8%.

Steel’s lead dwindled to 58 votes entering Saturday’s vote counting. Tran trailed by 11,363 votes a day after the election on Nov. 6, then by about 7,590 Nov. 8, 6,901 on Nov. 9; and 6,128 Nov. 10 when only ballots from the LA County areas of the district were processed. On Nov. 11, Steel’s lead shrunk to 3,908, 2,227 Nov. 12 and it plummeted to 349 Nov. 13 and 236 Nov. 14.

“California’s elections are a testament to the strength of our democracy,” Gowri Buddiga, Tran’s campaign manager, said in a statement. “Every legally cast ballot must be counted, and our campaign is encouraged by the results we’ve seen so far. Voters in Orange and Los Angeles County deserve to have their voices heard, and we are confident that as the remaining vote-by-mail, provisional, and conditional ballots are tallied, Derek Tran will emerge victorious.

“Democracy requires a commitment to making sure every lawful vote is counted, and it is critical that elections officials are able to continue their work without interruption so every voter’s voice is heard. Derek Tran is honored to be part of this process and remains optimistic that he will have the privilege of representing the people of California’s 45th District in Congress. We would like to thank the election and county workers who continue to do their essential work in the face of lies, hostility, and bomb threats.”

Steel or her campaign have not commented publicly about the race since Nov. 4.

In campaign literature, Steel highlighted her record in Congress of fighting “each and every attempt to raise taxes” and resisting “reckless spending policies that are driving nationwide inflation from Washington.” She also noted her commitment “to standing up to Communist China and standing with our democratic allies abroad.”

Steel described herself as “a true conservative that believes the best way to grow our economy is by supporting small businesses and working people, and I’ll never back down from that belief.”

The number of previously unprocessed ballots still to be counted was unavailable. Tran said Monday on social media that over 100,000 ballots have not been processed.

In the 49th Congressional District in Orange and San Diego counties, Republican challenger Matt Gunderson conceded the race Nov. 13 to now fourth-term Rep. Mike Levin, D-Dana Point.

Levin was ahead 192,719-175,967 votes, or 52%-48%, according to the latest election results.

The Associated Press, ABC and NBC projected Levin as the winner on Nov. 12 after the latest vote totals were released.

Gunderson, an automobile dealership owner, issued a statement the morning of Nov. 13 in which he thanked supporters, congratulated Levin and added:

“This campaign was never about politics, partisanship, or personal agendas. It was about a commitment to serving the people of our community and fighting for a better, more sustainable future for the next generation,” Gunderson said. “The rising costs of living, taxes, and inflation are taking opportunities away from our children and from Californians who want to thrive in this great state, and I am concerned about the impacts of unchecked government decisions on their future.

“I challenge Congressman Levin to set aside his partisan blinders and remember that the people of this district deserve leaders who are candid and transparent, who will fight for them, protect their opportunities, and help create an affordable California where they can prosper,” Gunderson said.

“I challenge Congressman Levin to stick to his word and be a true bipartisan leader in Washington that walks the same walk and talk at home that he does in DC. Californians deserve advocates, not politicians.”

Levin issued a statement late Nov. 12:

“Among the top reasons for this win is my record of passing 30 bipartisan laws and bringing back more than $1 billion in funding for projects that are improving our quality of life,” he said. “I stand by my record and look forward to building on that progress.

“We still have work to do to lower costs, secure our borders, protect Social Security and Medicare, remove the nuclear waste at San Onofre, put more sand on our beaches, and much more. I am committed to working with my colleagues from both parties on commonsense bipartisan solutions to our pressing challenges,” Levin said. “We must come together to deliver for all American families. Let’s get to work.”

Democrat Will Rollins conceded to Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, Nov. 13 after the the now 17-term House member’s lead increased to 8,123 votes in the 41st District. Calvert’s lead was 161,202-153,079, or 51.3%-48.7% of the vote.

Decision Desk HQ, an independent tracker of election results, declared Calvert as the winner on Nov. 11.

“I’m going to be honest, losing sucks, especially after campaigning back to back for nearly three years, but I will never regret running,” Rollins said in a video posted on social media.

Calvert defeated Rollins 52.3%-47.7% in the 2022 race to represent the Riverside County district.

“Way too many of us sit on the couch and complain about politics or the way campaigns are run, without ever getting off the sidelines and actually stepping into the arena ourselves,” Rollins said. “And I get it, that was me until I was 37 years old. That’s why I am so proud to have been in the fight with you, the people who supported this campaign, because win or lose, you know that the work is never really done in America.”

Calvert issued a statement Nov. 11 saying, “I’m honored that Riverside County voters have once again placed their trust in me to continue delivering results for them in Washington.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, congratulated Calvert on social media. The National Republican Congressional Committee, which is House Republicans’ election entity, also congratulated Calvert, saying in a statement that he “will continue delivering proven results for families in Riverside County, from working to lower inflation to keeping their neighborhoods safe and secure.”

In the U.S. Senate, Republicans won a 53-47 majority, according to the AP. Republicans gained four Senate seats and Democrats lost four. 

House Republicans on Nov. 14 attained the 218 seats needed for a majority. As of Saturday, the GOP has 219 seats compared with the Democrats’ 213. Three seats remained to be called.

Republicans also won 27 of the this year’s 50 gubernatorial races, compared with Democrats’ 23.

Updated Nov. 23, 2024, 10:40 a.m.

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