Early returns showed strong support for the incumbent in the race for California’s 45th Congressional District, where Derek Tran is running for a second term.
This race drew five Republican challengers: entrepreneur Mark Leonard, Westminster Mayor Chi “Charlie” Nguyen, former Cerritos Mayor Chuong V. Vo, real estate businessman Tom Vo and Westminster Councilmember Amy Phan West.
Tran is an attorney who was first elected to Congress in 2024, defeating incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel. He jumped out to a strong early lead in the first results posted Tuesday. Chuong V. Bo and Nguyen were in a close fight for the second spot.
LIVE ELECTION RESULTS: See a chart of the latest vote counts
Leonard is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who has served in Afghanistan and the California National Guard.
Nguyen is an electrical engineer who immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam as a teenager.
Chung V. Vo is a retired police officer who has served on the Cerritos City Council.
A Vietnam War veteran who also immigrated to the U.S., Tom Vo is the founder of Tom Vo’s Taekwondo Studios.
West, too, came to the U.S. from Vietnam at a young age. She started a car rental business.
This district includes Buena Park, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove and Westminster in Orange County, as well as Artesia and Cerritos in L.A. County.
Nearly 39% of voters here are registered Democrats, about 30% are Republicans and 25% are no party preference.