Republican wins back US House seat in Southern California
4 years, 1 month ago

Republican wins back US House seat in Southern California

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Republican Michelle Steel defeated first-term Rep. Harley Rouda on Tuesday in a Southern California district, only the second time in more than two decades that a GOP candidate in the state has defeated an incumbent Democrat. Rouda captured Orange County’s 48th District in 2018 from longtime Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher part of a Democratic sweep of seven House seats in California. Steel, who heads the Orange County Board of Supervisors, benefited from the district’s Republican registration edge and also surmounted widespread distaste for Trump in the strongly Democratic state. In addition to Steel's victory, Republican candidates are leading in two other undecided races in Democratic-held districts: Young Kim is running ahead of Democratic Rep. Gil Cisneros in the 39th District anchored in Orange County, and Republican former Rep. David Valadao is leading Democratic Rep. TJ Cox in the Central Valley's the 21st District.

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History of this topic

A bright spot for Democrats as voters shifted right: Flipping 3 House seats in California
2 weeks, 3 days ago

A bright spot for Democrats as voters shifted right: Flipping 3 House seats in California

LA Times  

Democrat George Whitesides ousted the incumbent Republican congressman for the Antelope Valley, one of three House districts that the Democrats flipped in California. The victories of Adam Gray, George Whitesides and Derek Tran — and a few Democratic House pickups elsewhere — were a silver lining for their party in a year that Republicans won both houses of Congress, Vice …

Democrats flip seat in California’s Central Valley in nation’s final outstanding House race
3 weeks ago

Democrats flip seat in California’s Central Valley in nation’s final outstanding House race

LA Times  

Democrats claimed the final congressional seat in the 2024 election cycle Tuesday as former state lawmaker Adam Gray ousted Republican incumbent Rep. John Duarte in a photo-finish race in California’s Central Valley. The Central Valley seat represents one of three congressional districts that Democrats flipped in California this year, a rare bright spot for the party during an election marked …

Democrat Derek Tran defeats GOP Rep. Michelle Steel in Southern California swing House district
Trending News
3 weeks, 5 days ago

Democrat Derek Tran defeats GOP Rep. Michelle Steel in Southern California swing House district

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Democrat Derek Tran ousted Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California House district Wednesday that was specifically drawn to give Asian Americans a stronger voice on Capitol Hill. Steel said in a statement that “like all journeys, this one is ending for a new one to begin.” When she captured the seat in 2020, Steel …

Democrat Derek Tran ousts Republican Michelle Steel in competitive Orange County House race
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Democrat Derek Tran ousts Republican Michelle Steel in competitive Orange County House race

LA Times  

Democrat Derek Tran, left, cheers with former President Bill Clinton during a campaign rally Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Buena Park, Calif. In a major victory for Democrats, first-time candidate Derek Tran defeated Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in a hotly contested Orange County congressional race that became one of the most expensive in the country. Steel’s margin of victory shrankto …

Just 314 votes separate candidates in one of nation’s closest House races, with more ballots to go
1 month ago

Just 314 votes separate candidates in one of nation’s closest House races, with more ballots to go

LA Times  

The latest tally from Southern California elections officials show Democrat Derek Tran increasing his lead over Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in the 45th Congressional District race. “People who have been watching closely and feel like the race is on a knife’s edge are anxious to see this one get called,” said Paul Mitchell, whose firm Political Data Inc. tracks voting …

Republican Young Kim reelected to Congress representing Orange County
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Republican Young Kim reelected to Congress representing Orange County

LA Times  

Rep. Young Kim was elected to a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives Republican Rep. Young Kim, who in 2020 was one of the first Korean American women elected to Congress, fended off a challenge from Democrat Joe Kerr, a retired fire captain, to secure a third term representing inland Orange County in the U.S. House of Representatives. …

Kim and Kerr locked in tight race for California’s 40th Congressional District
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Kim and Kerr locked in tight race for California’s 40th Congressional District

LA Times  

The race between Republican Rep. Young Kim and Democrat Joe Kerr to represent an inland Orange County district in Congress remained too close to call on Tuesday night as votes continue to be counted. Though President Biden won California’s 40th Congressional District by a narrow margin in 2020, Republicans maintain a voter registration advantage of roughly 5 percentage points. But …

Nation looks to California as Republicans and Democrats fight for control of the House
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Nation looks to California as Republicans and Democrats fight for control of the House

LA Times  

California’s 47th Congressional District, which includes Huntington Beach, is one of a half-dozen highly competitive House races in the Golden State that could determine which party controls Congress. CA-22: Rep. David Valadao vs. Rudy Salas twitter facebook envelope angle-double-right angle-down angle-up long-arrow-right Congressional District 22 Once a safely ruby-red district, this swath of the San Joaquin Valley is now decidedly …

Can Democrats unseat a thrice-elected GOP congressman in this battleground L.A. County district?
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Can Democrats unseat a thrice-elected GOP congressman in this battleground L.A. County district?

LA Times  

Early on a Saturday morning at Rawley Duntley Park in Lancaster — the high-desert sun blazing — George Whitesides, a Democrat running for Congress, was encircled by dozens of cheering, noisemaker-blasting volunteers. Whitesides, a former NASA chief of staff under President Obama, is running to unseat Rep. Mike Garcia, the thrice-elected Republican incumbent, in California’s hotly contested 27th Congressional District …

Column: Watch your step, Democrats. O.C.’s purple shine hides a red underbelly
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Column: Watch your step, Democrats. O.C.’s purple shine hides a red underbelly

LA Times  

Interns Lucas Uhm, left, and Andrea Madrid help register Orange County Democratic voters at the Democratic Party of Orange County in Orange, Calif., in 2019. Orange County — land of Richard Nixon and kooky conservatism, crucible of evangelical Christianity and culture war politics, the place Ronald Reagan repeatedly said was “where the good Republicans go before they die” — now …

Your guide to California’s Congressional District 40 race: Rep. Young Kim faces two challengers
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Your guide to California’s Congressional District 40 race: Rep. Young Kim faces two challengers

LA Times  

Young Kim, Republican, incumbent Kim, who was born in South Korea, was one of the first three Korean American women elected to Congress in 2020. Kim told The Times she’s running to “continue to bring commonsense back to Washington, break through partisan gridlock, and deliver results.” She added that “we must make life affordable, keep communities safe, and ensure America …

Wealthier Asian American and Latino voters in Orange County may be pivotal in upcoming elections
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Wealthier Asian American and Latino voters in Orange County may be pivotal in upcoming elections

LA Times  

Orange County Republican Reps. Young Kim, left, of Anaheim Hills and Michelle Steel of Seal Beach are seen on the House floor before a vote last year. “It’s about the policy and the person.” Baca lives in one of four Orange County congressional districts that are expected to be among the nation’s most competitive in the 2024 election as Republicans …

Garden Grove councilwoman announces congressional bid against Rep. Michelle Steel
1 year, 10 months ago

Garden Grove councilwoman announces congressional bid against Rep. Michelle Steel

LA Times  

Garden Grove Councilwoman Kim Nguyen stands next to one of her favorite structures, the Edna Park bridge in Santa Ana, which brings back good memories for her. Kim Bernice Nguyen, a member of the Garden Grove City Council, will seek to take Rep. Michelle Steel’s seat representing California’s 45th Congressional District, she announced Wednesday. I tried to do that in …

US House win by ex-combat pilot cements Republican control
2 years, 1 month ago

US House win by ex-combat pilot cements Republican control

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Republican Rep. Mike Garcia, a former Navy fighter pilot, scored a U.S. House win in a strongly Democratic district Wednesday, handing the GOP control of the chamber and giving the party a rare reason to celebrate in a state dominated by Democrats. Even though his victory carried historic weight by putting Republicans in charge of the House …

Democratic Rep. Katie Porter holds on to seat in tightly fought Orange County race
2 years, 1 month ago

Democratic Rep. Katie Porter holds on to seat in tightly fought Orange County race

LA Times  

Rep. Katie Porter campaigns in Huntington Beach in October. Rep. Katie Porter of Irvine, a rising star in the Democratic Party, fended off a challenge from Republican Scott Baugh, a former state lawmaker, to secure her third term in Congress. Porter, 48, was swept into Congress in 2018 as part of that year’s blue wave and quickly built a profile …

GOP Rep. Michelle Steel wins reelection after campaign marked by charges of red-baiting, racism
2 years, 1 month ago

GOP Rep. Michelle Steel wins reelection after campaign marked by charges of red-baiting, racism

LA Times  

Democrat Jay Chen and Republican Rep. Michelle Steele faced off in a contentious campaign to represent a congressional district centered in Orange County and created to empower Asian American voters. GOP Rep. Michelle Steel held on to her congressional seat after a campaign that included claims of red-baiting, misogyny and racism in a congressional district created to empower Asian American …

Republican Rep. Young Kim wins reelection in mostly Orange County district
2 years, 1 month ago

Republican Rep. Young Kim wins reelection in mostly Orange County district

LA Times  

Republican Rep. Young Kim, who in 2020 was one of the first Korean American women to be elected to Congress, fended off a challenge from Democrat Dr. Asif Mahmood to secure a second term. Democrats had listed the affluent, suburban, mostly Orange County district as a target for flipping, despite Republicans’ more than 4-percentage-point voter registration advantage. “There is much …

California GOP Rep. Valadao advances in US House district
2 years, 5 months ago

California GOP Rep. Valadao advances in US House district

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Rep. David Valadao advanced Friday to a November runoff in a Democratic-tilting district in California’s Central Valley, surviving a challenge from a fellow Republican who faulted the congressman for his vote to impeach then-President Donald Trump. Another of the state’s marquee races will be in a Democratic-leaning district north of Los Angeles, where Republican Rep. Mike Garcia …

Republican Orange County Congresswoman Young Kim advances to general election
2 years, 6 months ago

Republican Orange County Congresswoman Young Kim advances to general election

LA Times  

U.S. Rep. Young Kim beat back a last-minute challenge from a fellow Republican and will face off with Democrat Asif Mahmood in the fall election for the seat centered in inland Orange County. Kim, a well-funded incumbent, appeared to be on a glide path to winning a top-two spot in the primary and moving on to the general election in …

California races that will shape control of Congress come into focus after primary
2 years, 6 months ago

California races that will shape control of Congress come into focus after primary

LA Times  

GOP Rep. Mike Garcia and former Assemblywoman Christy Smith will face off in a northern L.A. County congressional district that is one of the Democrats’ best chances to pick up a seat in the House. California contests that will shape control of Congress came into focus Tuesday evening in the midterm primary, with one of the nation’s most endangered Republican …

California US House races could help tilt power in Congress
2 years, 6 months ago

California US House races could help tilt power in Congress

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — California’s primary on Tuesday will set the stage for a November election where a handful of U.S. House seats in the Los Angeles area and Central Valley will help determine which party controls Congress. PROGRESSIVE STAR BATTLES IN FORMER ‘REAGAN COUNTRY’ Southern California’s 47th District, which includes Huntington Beach and other famous surf breaks, is an area …

Harley Rouda opts out of battle with fellow Democrat Katie Porter for Orange County seat
2 years, 11 months ago

Harley Rouda opts out of battle with fellow Democrat Katie Porter for Orange County seat

LA Times  

Former Rep. Harley Rouda, pictured at a 2020 House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, has suspended his campaign for a coastal Orange County congressional seat. Former Rep. Harley Rouda said Monday he will not run for a newly drawn Orange County congressional seat, averting a potentially bruising intraparty battle with Rep. Katie Porter, a fellow Democrat. Politics With California’s congressional …

With California’s congressional maps set, candidates swoop in
3 years ago

With California’s congressional maps set, candidates swoop in

LA Times  

Katie Porter, third from right, and Harley Rouda, second from right, at a 2018 campaign event with former President Obama. After months of stall as they waited for new district lines, California’s congressional incumbents and challengers rushed to declare their candidacies Tuesday as key matchups, including a potential high-stakes contest between Orange County Democrats, began to crystallize. Soon after the …

Republican congressional wins in California won’t avert party’s ‘death spiral,’ analysts say
3 years, 11 months ago

Republican congressional wins in California won’t avert party’s ‘death spiral,’ analysts say

LA Times  

Rep. Young Kim, center, is among four state Republicans who in November retook districts that Democrats had flipped in 2018. “It’s probably a recognition that a death spiral is just that — it’s not a straight line,” said Mike Madrid, a Republican consultant and former political director of the California Republican Party. They erode over time.” The four congressional districts …

Republicans won half of California’s U.S. House seats they lost in 2018. Here’s how
4 years ago

Republicans won half of California’s U.S. House seats they lost in 2018. Here’s how

LA Times  

After narrowly losing a congressional seat to Democrat Gil Cisneros in 2018, Republican Young Kim focused her comeback effort on the burgeoning Asian American enclaves of Orange County. “The Asian community really came out in force.” Kim was one of four Republicans who won congressional races in California this year, delivering the largest GOP gains in the party’s congressional ranks …

US Rep. Mike Garcia claims win in swing district north of LA
4 years, 1 month ago

US Rep. Mike Garcia claims win in swing district north of LA

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia claimed victory Friday in his back-and-forth contest with Democrat Christy Smith in the 25th District north of Los Angeles, a Southern California battleground that Democrats had captured just two years ago. Smith said Garcia’s assertion of victory was premature and “dangerous to our democratic process.” With thousands of ballots uncounted, “this race …

Making history: Three Korean American women, two representing California, win seats in Congress
4 years, 1 month ago

Making history: Three Korean American women, two representing California, win seats in Congress

LA Times  

From left, Young Kim, Michelle Steel and Marilyn Strickland, all newly elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. By text, by phone and by social media, they trumpeted the news from California to Asia: Late Friday, Young Kim had joined her “sister” Michelle Steel in making history as two of the first three Korean American women ever elected to the …

GOP captures second Democratic US House seat in California
4 years, 1 month ago

GOP captures second Democratic US House seat in California

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Republican Young Kim defeated U.S. Rep. Gil Cisneros on Friday in a Southern California district, the second GOP candidate to snatch a Democratic-held seat in the state this year. They have recaptured two, with wins by Steel and Kim, and are leading in two others: the Central Valley’s 21st District, where Republican former Rep. David Valadao was …

Young Kim defeats Gil Cisneros in another victory for Republicans in Orange County
4 years, 1 month ago

Young Kim defeats Gil Cisneros in another victory for Republicans in Orange County

LA Times  

Republican Young Kim will be among the first Korean American women to serve in Congress. Republican candidate Young Kim has won a congressional seat in Orange County, marking the second race in the county in which the GOP took back a district it had lost to Democrats during the 2018 “blue wave.” Kim defeated incumbent Democrat Gil Cisneros in the …

Republicans push back the 2018 ‘blue wave’ in Orange County
4 years, 1 month ago

Republicans push back the 2018 ‘blue wave’ in Orange County

LA Times  

Trump supporters shout to passing motorists in front of GOP headquarters on election day in Newport Beach. With few ballots left to count, Republicans have taken back at least one seat in Orange County and padded their vote lead in other swing districts across Southern California. Steel’s win takes back one of several seats that the California GOP lost in …

In big Republican victory, Harley Rouda concedes to Michelle Steel in O.C. congressional race
4 years, 1 month ago

In big Republican victory, Harley Rouda concedes to Michelle Steel in O.C. congressional race

LA Times  

In a major win for the GOP, U.S. Rep. Harley Rouda conceded to his Republican opponent, Michelle Steel, in the race for California’s 48th Congressional District, one of several hard-fought contests in areas that until recently were considered conservative strongholds. The election win hands back to Republicans one of several seats lost in 2018 when Democrats made big gains in …

Democratic Rep. Harley Rouda concedes 48th Congressional District race to GOP challenger Michelle Steel
4 years, 1 month ago

Democratic Rep. Harley Rouda concedes 48th Congressional District race to GOP challenger Michelle Steel

LA Times  

U.S. Rep. Harley Rouda conceded the hotly contested race for California’s 48th Congressional District seat to Republican challenger Michelle Steel on Tuesday. Steel, 65, will be one of the first Korean American women in U.S. Congress, along with incoming Marilyn Strickland, a Democrat from Washington who is of Korean American and Black heritage. “To the staff, volunteers, interns, supporters, citizens …

Orange County backed Biden, but Republicans poised for dramatic comeback after ‘blue wave’
4 years, 1 month ago

Orange County backed Biden, but Republicans poised for dramatic comeback after ‘blue wave’

LA Times  

Like many conservative voters in Orange County, Carolyn Ehret, a longtime Republican in Laguna Niguel, could not stomach voting for Donald Trump a second time. “We need to become civilized again.” For the record: The Times incorrectly reported that Young Kim was leading Rep. Gil Cisneros in California’s 39th Congressional District 52.3% to 47.7%. California Republicans may take back two …

Republicans may take back two congressional seats in key Orange County races
4 years, 1 month ago

Republicans may take back two congressional seats in key Orange County races

LA Times  

In a rare bright spot for California’s beleaguered GOP, two Republican challengers are within striking distance of unseating two Orange County Democrats who were elected to Congress during the 2018 blue wave. In north Los Angeles County, the Democratic candidate for California’s 25th District, Christy Smith, is narrowly leading Republican incumbent Mike Garcia in a sprawling district that stretches east …

GOP pins hopes on 4 California congressional district seats
4 years, 1 month ago

GOP pins hopes on 4 California congressional district seats

LA Times  

As the results continue to roll in, Republicans remain locked in tight races for four key California congressional seats lost to Democrats in 2018 as they seek to turn around their party’s diminished influence in the Golden State. In the tri-county 39th Congressional District, former Assemblywoman Young Kim, a Republican, was in a close rematch with Democratic Rep. Gil Cisneros. …

Could Dana Rohrabacher’s old seat flip red in Orange County? Experts say it’s a close call
4 years, 1 month ago

Could Dana Rohrabacher’s old seat flip red in Orange County? Experts say it’s a close call

LA Times  

Two years ago, Harley Rouda defeated longtime Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher as part of a blue wave sweeping across Orange County. “Under her leadership, Orange County residents have lost their lives and livelihoods during the coronavirus crisis,” Rouda’s Facebook page said. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race between Rouda and Steel “lean Democratic,” while calling the nearby 39th …

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