Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-45), who was seeking her third term in the U.S. House of Representative, has conceded defeat in the recent election.
In a press release on November 27, Steel said, “The journey to work on behalf of legal immigrants and struggling families took me somewhere I never could have imagined.” As a first-generation Korean American, she emphasized her efforts to stand against America’s adversaries and to protect human rights.
Steel also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve immigrant communities, thanking her family, supporters, and staff. She vowed to continue fighting for her constituents, despite the election loss.
According to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, Steel has already filed paperwork to run again in 2026. For now, she is expected to take a break before outlining her next steps.
Initially leading by a 5% margin in early returns on November 5, Steel began trailing her opponent, Democrat Derek Tran, by November 16. As of November 27, Steel was behind by approximately 1,000 votes, leading her to acknowledge the loss. Tran had declared victory on November 25, and Steel’s campaign confirmed they would not request a recount.
The Korean American community, which had high hopes for Steel’s re-election, expressed disappointment. Many saw her loss as a missed opportunity to continue her work and mentor future leaders.
Don Rhee, president of the Daegu Gyeongbuk Association in LA, remarked, “Today is a sad day in the history of Korean American politics in Southern California. Michelle Steel, who entered politics after witnessing the LA Riots to enhance Korean American political influence, had won six consecutive elections before this.”
He attributed her narrow loss to unfair redistricting and the strong cohesion of the Vietnamese community in the district but expressed confidence in her political future.
Political experts and media outlets in Southern California noted the district’s unique demographic dynamics, where minority Asian voters hold significant sway. The Vietnamese community, which accounts for 90% of registered voters in the district, played a decisive role. Analysts pointed out that despite raising $9.4 million, the Republican Party’s outreach to this critical voting bloc was insufficient.
With Steel’s defeat, only three Korean Americans remain in the U.S. House: Marilyn Strickland (WA), Young Kim (CA), and Dave Min (CA). Andy Kim (NJ) has moved to the U.S. Senate.
Michelle Steel began her political career in 2007 as a member of the California State Board of Equalization. She later served as an Orange County Supervisor before defeating Democratic incumbent Harley Rouda in 2020 to represent California’s 48th Congressional District. Steel served two terms in Congress before this election.
BY BRIAN CHOI, YOUNGNAM KIM [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
