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Derek Tran on being Little Saigon's first Vietnamese American Congress member
Democratic Rep. Derek Tran walked to a new member orientation at the U.S. Capitol in November.
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The Washington Post via Getty Images
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The Washington Post
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Nearly 50 years after the fall of Saigon, Democrat Derek Tran was sworn into Congress, becoming the first Vietnamese American House member to represent Little Saigon in Orange County.
Along with his wife and family, Tran said that a number of supporters and leaders from Southern California's Vietnamese American community traveled to D.C. to show their support.
"I was able to really celebrate with them for the first time and make sure that I cement the fact that I'm here to work for them," he said.
First order of business: As an Army veteran, Tran told LAist he wants to serve on the Armed Services Committee. He also hopes to serve on the Committee on Small Business.
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"Many constituents in my district own small businesses. So I want to do a lot more to help them in being able to have the capital to expand their business or to start a business," he said.
Who is Tran: Tran, a personal injury and consumer rights lawyer, is the son of Vietnamese refugees who grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and later moved to Orange County, where he owns a pharmacy with his wife in Orange.
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Derek Tran on being Little Saigon's first Vietnamese American Congress member
The backstory: Tran proved to be the toughest opponent to challenge two-term GOP incumbent Michelle Steel for the 45th House District seat. In their bids to represent a district spanning Orange and Los Angeles counties, the candidates ran on their party platforms. Steel had established ties to Vietnamese American Republicans who dominate government in Little Saigon, which is home to the largest Vietnamese diaspora in the world. Tran's camp said many Vietnamese Americans crossed party lines to support the Democrat.
The campaign: More than $46 million was poured into the race for the 45th, making it the most expensive in the country. The race also became one of the last in the country to be decided, with Tran winning by 653 votes.
Go deeper: Republican Michelle Steel concedes 45th House seat to Democrat Derek Tran
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Updated January 5, 2025 at 10:25 AM PST
We added quotes from Tran to the story.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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