Who's In the Race

Rep. Derek Tran (D-CA) faces Republican Chuong Vo in the Nov. 3 general election in California's 45th District. The 2026 race runs on California's updated congressional district map, which took effect this cycle and applies through 2030. ​

Tran, a consumer-rights attorney and Army Reserve veteran, has represented the district since 2025. He took about 54 percent of the vote in the June 2 top-two primary, advancing alongside Vo, who finished second with about 15 percent. Chi Charlie Nguyen was the next-closest Republican finisher, with about 12 percent. Vo is a retired law-enforcement officer with 28 years of service and a former Mayor of Cerritos who also served on the city council.

What They Stand For

Tran's campaign website says he supports protecting access to health care and lowering prescription-drug costs. He's also supported:

  • Protecting access to reproductive health care, including fertility treatments, according to an Orange County Register questionnaire;
  • More resources for local law enforcement, including mental-health support, pay and equipment, and funding for violence-prevention and rehabilitation programs;
  • A "comprehensive solution" on immigration that secures the border while protecting legal pathways to citizenship; and
  • Opposing offshore drilling off California's coast, saying it "would harm our coastline's ecosystems," according to his official House website.

Vo has proposed expanding body-worn cameras, de-escalation training and community policing, and increasing penalties for fentanyl trafficking, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • auditing waste and fraud across all agencies, streamlining infrastructure permitting and protecting Social Security and Medicare for current seniors;
  • Homelessness treatment and shelter tied to measurable outcomes, with enforced no-camping rules near schools and parks;
  • Expanding career and technical education, STEM pathways and evidence-based reading instruction, with a greater role for parents; and
  • Secure borders, faster asylum decisions, more agent training and resources, and modernizing the legal immigration system.

The Money Behind the Race

Tran raised about $4.98 million through June 30, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, and had about $3.26 million in cash on hand. Vo raised about $496,000 through June 30 and had about $75,000 in the bank, with $10,000 in debt, per FEC filings.

Outside spending in the race totaled $17,396 as of Oct. 13, and $11,195 of it involved Derek Tran, including $4,552 opposing him. Health Care Saves Lives spent $6,200 opposing Michelle Steel, while Orange County PAC spent $5,642 supporting Derek Tran.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Likely Democratic" as of Oct. 9. Sabato's Crystal Ball gave it the same rating as of Oct. 11. Inside Elections also rated it "Likely Democratic" as of Oct. 2. Kalshi traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Tran, a 91.24 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

The district has swung between the parties in recent cycles: Republican Michelle Steel won it with about 52 percent in 2022, and Tran flipped it, winning with about 50 percent in 2024. Statewide, Democrats have dominated California's congressional delegation, winning 40 of 52 U.S. House seats in 2022 and 43 of 52 in 2024. Democrat Kamala Harris carried California in the 2024 presidential election with about 58 percent of the vote.

Voters in the district can register or update their registration through Monday, Oct. 19; California also allows conditional voter registration through Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to the California Secretary of State. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 27, per the California Secretary of State.

Early voting at select Orange County vote centers runs Saturday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; all vote centers open Saturday, Oct. 31, through Monday, Nov. 2, during the same hours, according to the Orange County Registrar of Voters. On Election Day, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., per the California Secretary of State.

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