Two Orange County districts flip to red in narrowly won races

Republican candidates from the 39th and 48th congressional districts flipped seats in the House of Representatives after the 2020 general election, contrasting the Democratic sweep that took place in the 2018 midterm election. Graphics HARRY LADA, Art Director

After days of neck and neck battles in two Orange County congressional districts, both Republican candidates in the 39th and 48th districts secured a House of Representatives seat, contradicting the blue sweep seen in 2018. With two seats flipped back to red, Orange County can expect to face increased competition between the two parties’ legislatures.

Democrat Rep. Gil Cisneros conceded Nov. 13 to Republican challenger Young Kim in California’s 39th Congressional District, a reversal from Cisneros’ defeat over Kim in 2018. Kim defeated Cisneros by 1.2%, according to The Associated Press. Additionally, Rep. Harley Rouda conceded Nov. 10 to Republican opponent Michelle Steel in the race for California’s 48th Congressional District. According to The Associated Press, Steel defeated Rouda by 2.2%.

Steel and Kim will be the first Korean American women to serve in the United States Congress, alongside newly-elected Democrat Marilyn Strickland of Washington, who is.

“We did not win this election,” Rouda wrote in a statement on his campaign website. “And while it isn’t the outcome we had hoped for, it’s never been more important for our leaders to hear the voice of the people, and to accept their judgment. I do.”

Since U.S. Representative-elect Steel formerly held an Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Supervisors position in District 2, a special election likely to occur in March will replace Steel’s position.

“To (everyone) who voted for me, know that you weren’t voting for a person, but for the idea that the American dream is alive and well in Orange County – that minorities who might not look like you or talk like you can come from humble beginnings and not only have a place in this Republican Party, but can be elected to Congress,” Steel said in a Nov. 10 video.

Steel’s congressional goals include lowering taxes, combatting homelessness, ending California’s sanctuary cities and status as a sanctuary state, creating jobs and spearheading COVID-19 response and recovery.

Cisneros released a statement on his campaign website Nov. 13 after conceding to Kim.

“I’m sorry I won’t be able to continue work in Congress this January,” Cisneros wrote. “I called to congratulate Young Kim on her victory … I hope she will continue my willingness to reach across the aisle in order to get results, because her success is the 39th District’s success.”

U.S. Representative-elect Kim’s priorities include combatting the coronavirus, reinvigorating the economy, creating jobs, addressing the homeless crisis and making healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable. Kim, a former member of the California State Assembly from the 65th district, also released a video Nov. 13 in response to the election results.

“Following the results of this election, I want to congratulate Congressman Gil Cisneros on a hard-fought race,” Kim said. “I want to thank him for his service to our country and to the 39th District … Our community is such a wonderful place, because we come together to look out for one another. I will take that spirit with me to represent you in Washington, D.C.”

Fred Smoller, a Chapman University campaigns and elections professor, predicted Steel’s and Kim’s victories approximately one week before the final results, describing Orange County as a Republican stronghold. Although some residents and scholars claimed the county changed to blue in 2018 because Democrats won in every congressional district, Smoller describes the county as purple – an equal blend of the two parties.

“Rouda and Cisneros were good candidates, but (Kim and Steel) were able to target and win,” Smoller told The Panther Nov. 5. “Orange County is now a purple county, meaning we are going to have very competitive campaigns. The long-term trend is that we will remain competitive. Not blue, not red, but purple.”