The 45th district encompasses Orange County’s Vietnamese-American community known as Little Saigon, founded by war refugees from South Vietnam in the 1970s. A thriving and politically active community with Vietnamese-language media outlets, Little Saigon is increasingly split along generational lines between the conservative lean of older Vietnamese-American immigrants and an openness to progressive ideas among their American-born descendants. 

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About Our Candidate: Derek Tran  

Derek Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees who fled a communist regime for the promise of the American Dream. A father of three, U.S. Army veteran, and small business owner, Derek deeply understands what’s at stake for Southern California’s working-class families—and is well-equipped to take on Rep. Steel’s dishonesty and extremism.  From the cost of living and prescription drugs to the threats on reproductive freedom and our democracy at large, he will be a strong advocate for working-class families' concerns in Congress. 

About the District 

In addition to a population that is 39% AAPI, including Vietnamese, Korean, and Taiwanese Americans, almost one out of three district residents (31%) are Hispanic. 25% are white. 

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Since the 2021 redistricting, the redrawn 45th district covers much of the northwest corner of Orange County and all of the city of Cerritos in Los Angeles County. To the north, it includes parts of Brea, Fullerton, and Buena Park; to the south, it includes Westminster, Midway City, Garden Grove, and Fountain Valley. The district’s southern tip is home to a few large companies of note, including Kingston Technology and Hyundai.