Another Democrat — and the third candidate of Vietnamese descent — has launched a congressional bid in the heart of the country’s Vietnamese community.
In a move that highlights the diversity of candidates in California’s 45th congressional district, Derek Tran, a 42-year-old consumer rights attorney, announced his campaign this week. The competitive seat is currently held by Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Seal Beach, a Korean American. Situated in Orange County’s Little Saigon, the largest Vietnamese enclave outside Vietnam, the district holds significant importance to the Vietnamese community.
Coming from a family of Vietnamese refugees who fled communist Vietnam after the Vietnam War and settled in Southern California, Tran understands the struggles and challenges faced by his community. Tran’s parents worked hard to build a better life, starting with a corner market and eventually achieving the American Dream of owning a house.
Tran’s desire to serve the nation led him to enlist in the military at the age of 18. Now, he sees the congressional race as another opportunity to give back to the country that has given him and his family so much.
With Tran’s entry into the race, the interests of the Little Saigon community will take the center stage in the election, according to Long Bui, an international studies professor at UC Irvine. The district, spanning Los Angeles and Orange counties, has nearly two in 10 voters of Vietnamese descent, making their concerns and priorities significant.
Tran has deep roots in Orange County’s Vietnamese community, as evidenced by his fluency in the language and his ownership of a brick-and-mortar pharmacy in Anaheim, alongside his wife Michelle Tran, who hails from Garden Grove. This firsthand experience has given Tran insight into the issues facing the community and an ability to connect with older Vietnamese individuals.
Tran plans to engage voters by addressing their concerns about high medical care costs, leniency on theft, women’s healthcare, gun safety reform, and the preservation of government assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC.
Other candidates of Vietnamese descent, such as Garden Grove Councilmember Kim Bernice Nguyen and Little Saigon attorney Jimmy Pham, are also running for the congressional seat. However, Bui suggests that scrutiny and close examination of their policies will play an important role, highlighting the diversity within the Vietnamese community.
Tran’s campaign got off to a strong start, raising more than $250,000 within 24 hours of its launch, including a self-funding contribution of $3,300. This fundraising success sets Tran apart from his Democratic primary opponents in terms of financial support.
While Steel remains a formidable opponent with substantial funds, Tran’s candidacy has been catapulted into the spotlight as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has identified the 45th district as a competitive Republican-held target. Additionally, Democrats currently enjoy a nearly 6% voter registration advantage over Republicans in the district, further bolstering Tran’s prospects.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Tran’s campaign in Little Saigon represents the growing influence of AAPI voters and the Republican Party’s efforts to engage with minority communities. The race is set to be a closely watched and highly contested one, as it holds significance beyond its immediate boundaries.
Overall, Tran’s congressional bid brings a fresh perspective and a unique understanding of the needs of the Vietnamese community, making him a compelling candidate in the 45th district race.
“Michelle beat an incumbent Democrat and was reelected in a Democratic district because Southern California voters know how hard she works and trusts her to fight for the issues that matter most to them: lowering high taxes, reducing inflation and holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable for their anti-America platform,” said Steel campaign spokesperson Rebecca Schieber.
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