With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This Orange County House race is the most expensive in the US
Republican Rep. Michelle Steel is fighting to keep her seat from Democrat Derek Tran.
(
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)
As the clock ticks down on Election Day, campaign money continues to pour into Orange County for the country's most expensive House race.
As of Tuesday, more than $46 million has been spent so far in the fight for the GOP-held 45th Congressional district centered in Little Saigon, according to the nonprofit OpenSecrets, which tracks money in politics. That total includes money raised by the candidates and outside spending.
Republican Rep. Michelle Steel, a two-term incumbent, is facing her toughest opponent yet in Democrat Derek Tran, a lawyer and Army veteran who's the son of Vietnamese refugees.
Details of the race
The 45th seat is home to the largest population of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam, concentrated in the Little Saigon cities of Westminster, Fountain Valley and Garden Grove.
Support for LAist comes from
Located mostly in Orange County, the district also includes Buena Park, parts of Fullerton and Yorba Linda and a wedge of L.A. County that contains Artesia and Cerritos.
The vast majority of spending on the race — about $34 million — has been by outside groups, Open Secrets found.
In the waning days of campaigning, both candidates received major endorsements from party luminaries. Former President Donald Trump backed Steel in an Oct. 26 post on Truth Social, the online platform he owns. The same day, former President Bill Clinton stumped for Tran at rallies in Orange County.
California's other swing districts
Currently, House Republicans have an eight-seat majority. Democrats are hoping to gain back control of the House by flipping seats in swing districts like the 45th.
Meanwhile, Republicans are trying to flip another Orange County district — the 47th, which includes Irvine — represented by outgoing Democratic Rep. Katie Porter.
Support for LAist comes from
Democratic state Sen. Dave Min is facing off in that district with Scott Baugh, former chair of the Orange County GOP.
Other top-watched races in Southern California are in the 27th district in the Antelope Valley and the 41st district, home to Palm Springs.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.” -
While working for the county, the DA’s office alleges that 13 employees fraudulently filed for unemployment, claiming to earn less than $600 a week. -
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to declare immigration enforcement actions a local emergency. -
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues. -
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week. -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce.
Best of LAist