Derek Tran Outraises MAGA Rep. Michelle Steel In CA-45

Jul

2024

PRESS RELEASE

Derek Tran Outraises MAGA Rep. Michelle Steel In CA-45

Garden Grove, CA — In one of the most closely watched contests of the 2024 cycle, Workers’ Rights Advocate, U.S. Army Veteran, City Commissioner, Small Business Owner, and CA-45 congressional candidate Derek Tran out-raised incumbent Representative Michelle Steel as reported in official FEC filings for the second quarter of 2024. In a striking demonstration of grassroots enthusiasm, Tran's campaign brought in $1.3 million from 9,746 donors, with an impressive 91% of these contributions coming in under $200.

"Our campaign is championing the core values of freedom, opportunity, and the American Dream—principles that resonate deeply across this district,” said Derek Tran. “While my opponent continues to rely on funding from Big Oil, gun lobbyists, and anti-abortion extremists, we are proud to be supported by thousands of small donors who believe in our vision for a fairer, more just society. We are ready to bring real representation to California's 45th, focusing on what truly matters: economic opportunity, protecting individual rights, and addressing the affordability crisis that affects us all."

The strong fundraising momentum comes on the heels of new polling from Tulchin Research that shows Derek Tran in a statistical tie with MAGA Republican Michelle Steel. Additionally, an analysis of the March 5, 2024 primary results shows a vulnerable Steel significantly underperformed with voters compared to 2022 and is in serious risk of losing her seat. As the November elections approach, Derek Tran stands poised to flip this key district from red to blue, riding a wave of support for his pragmatic platform and commitment to middle-class families.

During her time in Congress, Michelle Steel has consistently voted against the interests of her community while relying on funding from Big Oil, gun lobbyists, and anti-abortion extremists. Despite her claims of representing middle-class values, Steel has opposed measures to lower prescription drug costs, including voting against capping the price of insulin. She voted against common-sense gun safety legislation such as raising the age to buy semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21 and against enhanced background checks– a slap in the face to her constituents who have been devastated by the scourge of mass shootings. Further distancing herself from the needs of Orange County, she voted against a bill to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and bring jobs home, and against the bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6th insurrection. Steel’s fealty to the MAGA Right knows no bounds– even going so far as to apologize to GOP supporters for working on a bipartisan bill to condemn hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

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Army Veteran Derek Tran is a DCCC Red To Blue candidate running in California’s 45th Congressional District which encompasses portions of Orange and Los Angeles Counties in Southern California. A majority-minority district, the District has the second largest AAPI population (36.97%) of any Congressional District, and the largest Vietnamese community in the country. President Biden won the current district lines by +6 points and it has a +6 point Democratic registration advantage. It includes all or part of the Cities of Garden Grove, Westminster, Cerritos, Buena Park, Placentia, Hawaiian Gardens, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Artesia, Los Alamitos, La Palma, Brea, Lakewood, and Fullerton, as well as the unincorporated community of Rossmoor.