Derek Tran Declares Victory in California Congressional Race

Democratic challenger Derek Tran has declared victory over incumbent Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in California's 45th Congressional District, with a narrow lead of 581 votes as of the latest count. Tran, a U.S. Army veteran and consumer rights attorney, expressed confidence in his win, citing the difficulty for Steel to overcome such a margin with approximately 1,690 votes still uncounted. Steel has not conceded and both campaigns are preparing for a possible recount, as issues with flagged ballots are being addressed. Tran's victory would mark a significant moment as he would be the first Vietnamese American to represent the district, which has a large Vietnamese community. Despite the Democratic majority in California, Steel's previous victories indicate a competitive political landscape in the area. The Associated Press has yet to officially call the race, emphasizing the ongoing uncertainty of the election outcome.