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Almost 50 years after the collapse of Saigon, Democrat Derek Tran was inaugurated into Congress, marking the first Vietnamese American to represent Little Saigon in Orange County.
Tran stated that alongside his spouse and family, numerous supporters and leaders from Southern California’s Vietnamese American community journeyed to Washington, D.C., to express their support.
“For the first time, I was truly able to celebrate with them and solidify the fact that I’m here to advocate for them,” he remarked.
Initial task: As a veteran of the Army, Tran informed LAist that he aspires to be part of the military committee. He also wishes to serve on the Small Business Committee.
“Within my district, many of my constituents operate small and medium-sized enterprises, so I will strive harder to assist them in obtaining capital to grow or initiate businesses,” he stated.
Who is Tran: A personal injury and consumer rights lawyer, Tran is the offspring of Vietnamese refugees who was raised in the San Gabriel Valley and eventually relocated to Orange County, where he manages a pharmacy with his spouse in Orange.
Derek Tran discusses Little Saigon’s inaugural Vietnamese-American congressman
The context: Tran has emerged as the most formidable contender to two-term Republican incumbent Michelle Steele for the 45th Congressional District position. Candidates campaigned based on party ideologies to represent the district, which encompasses Orange and Los Angeles counties. Steele had cultivated connections with Vietnamese American Republicans who governed Little Saigon, home to the globe’s largest Vietnamese diaspora. Tran’s campaign claimed that numerous Vietnamese Americans support the Democratic Party across partisan lines.
Election: Over $46 million was invested in the 45th race, rendering it the most costly race in the nation. The election was one of the last to conclude nationwide, with Tran clinching victory by a margin of 653 votes.
Further details: Republican Michelle Steel forfeits 45th House seat to Democrat Derek Tran
Revised on January 5, 2025 at 10:25am PST
Included a quotation from Tran in the article.