By Matthew Yoshimoto
Democrat Derek Tran’s campaign took a pivotal turn in Los Angeles’ Little Saigon after the primary election, when several lifelong Republican Vietnamese seniors approached him, beaming, as they said, “We voted for a Democrat for the first time—for you—because we want representation.” Their heartfelt words resonated deeply with Tran: “That’s powerful, and that’s what I’m seeing in my community.”
In that moment, Tran realized his campaign was bridging partisan divides, uniting voters around a shared cultural identity. Running in California’s 45th Congressional District, home to the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam, Tran understands that while Vietnamese Americans have long played a role in local politics, they have yet to secure federal representation in the House.
But this race transcends beyond party lines and cultural representation. As one of 33 battleground races nationwide, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, the outcome in this district could be pivotal in determining control of the House of Representatives in 2025. The stakes are higher than ever, and the long-awaited change for the Vietnamese community may finally be within reach.
Tran is running against Republican incumbent Michelle Steel, who has held the seat since 2020 and is now seeking her third term in Congress. Born in South Korea, Steel immigrated to the U.S. before beginning her political career.
A recent poll conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California, California State University Long Beach and Cal Poly Pomona shows Tran leading by two points, 45% to Steel’s 43%.
As the son of refugees from communist Vietnam, Tran developed a strong sense of patriotism after moving to the U.S. He felt a deep desire to give back to the country that supported his family and appreciated the assistance programs that enabled his parents to open a corner market in downtown Los Angeles.
At 18, Tran enlisted in the Army without informing his parents or friends, dedicating eight years to military service. This experience fueled his passion for public service, which he later pursued as a lawyer, focusing on representing employees facing discrimination by large corporations. His commitment to “always advocating for the underdog,” Tran explained, ignited his desire to serve the public.
Tran’s dedication to the community also led him to open a small business in Orange County and volunteer as a traffic commissioner for the city, further inspiring his run for Congress.
When asked about the key issues that differentiate him from Steel, Tran shared with AsAmNews, “At the core of all of this is that you have a career politician who does not have the best interest of her constituents and her community in mind when she’s serving in Congress. I am in this for public service; she’s in this for self-service.”
He alleged and criticized Steel for accepting money from large corporations, which he said is reflected in her voting record. Tran condemned her votes against the bipartisan infrastructure bill that brought vital funds to California for road projects, the CHIPS Act supporting investment in technology and manufacturing and efforts to maintain reduced costs for those who need insulin.
Steel did not respond to requests for an interview by publication time. However, our invitation to interview her remains open.
John Nguyen, CEO of the Truong Buu Diep Foundation, located in California’s 45th District, expressed strong support for Tran, highlighting his patriotism, dedication and compassion as a cherished and respected member of their community.
“Despite his busy professional life, Derek regularly takes the time to visit and support members of the foundation,” Nguyen shared with AsAmNews. “His compassion and empathy for others are qualities our community deeply values and seeks in a public servant.”
Tran has garnered endorsements from several prominent organizations, including the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs and many others in this suburban Orange County district. The LA Times Editorial Board also backed Tran, stating, “Tran is well-informed, not just about the important issues facing Congress, but about how D.C. politics work. He would hit the ground running.”
As Election Day approaches, voters in this district will have to decide between Tran’s promises of progressive reform and Steel’s commitment to conservative ideals — a decision that could shift the balance of power in Congress and potentially mark the historic election of the first Vietnamese American to the House.
“This community is motivated to elect a Vietnamese American to Congress so they have a voice for the first time in the 49 years since they’ve been in this country. They’re hungry for representation, and I’m ready to serve all of my districts, including the Vietnamese Americans that share the similar stories and background that I grew up with,” Tran told AsAmNews.
This coverage was made possible by a grant through the URL Collective, a nonprofit supporting local, diverse media. AsAmNews and URL Collective have partnered to bring you election reporting from grassroots media.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
Thank you for all those who contributed to our Lunar New Year fundraiser. We exceeded our $5,000 matching grant challenge by 121%! We couldn’t do this without you. It’s never too late to donate. You can make your tax-deductible donations here via credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Venmo. Stock donations and donations via DAFs are also welcomed.
Please also follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and X.