3 days Ago
Democratic challenger Derek Tran has extended his lead over GOP Rep. Michelle Steel in the 45th Congressional District. As of Monday night, he was ahead by 102 votes after a release of new tallies from L.
A. and Orange counties. Steel had the lead from Election Day until this weekend when it disappeared and Tran led by 36 votes.
The district crosses county lines. Note: The timeline is still updating with Monday results but shows trend over time. Both political parties have been vying for the control of this swing district that sits mostly in northern Orange County.
More than $46 million has been poured into the race, making it the most expensive House contest in the country. It's also one of the last races to be called, although the GOP already has secured control of the House. Tran took a 102 vote lead over Steel after Monday's vote tallies from L.
A. and Orange counties with more than 307,000 votes — or 94% — of expected votes counted. Tran took the slimmest of leads (36-point margin) over the weekend.
Steel, a two-term incumbent, took the early lead in vote tallies after Election Day, but Tran began to cut into her lead. The gap between the two candidates had dropped from 0.08% last Thursday to 0.
02% Friday night. We'll have more on this developing story. LAist reporter Cato Hernández contributed to the "Could there be a recount?" section of the article from the "Make it make sense" newsletter.
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