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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.
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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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.
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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.
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The deadline to register to vote in California for the Nov. 5 general election is Oct. 21.
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.
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For decades, Californians could rely on the federal government for help. “The modern era of emergency management … is forever changing,” a state official says. -
Texas drew new lines to help the GOP win in the midterm elections. California countered this week. Republicans might have an edge in the redistricting battle as it spreads nationally.
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.
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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.
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