Election results: OC congress, board of supervisors
This year Orange County saw four major congressional races and three open slots on the OC board of supervisors. Photo by DANIEL PEARSON, staff photographer
Orange County is in the midst of four major congressional races for the 40th, 45th, 46th and 47th districts. While the county used to be primarily Republican-dominated, residents have been seeing purple in recent years due to the mixture of Democrats and Republicans holding seats throughout the county’s districts.
As of Nov. 22, some races are still close. Although not all ballots have been counted, the current results reflect about 97% of all ballots cast in Orange County. The Associated Press has been calling race results as the majority of results trickle in.
In California’s 40th district — which includes cities like Orange, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Tustin, Yorba Linda and Aliso Viejo — Republican incumbent Young Kim was reelected with about 56% of the vote against Asif Mahmood, a physician and pulmonologist who currently practices in San Marino.
“Thank you to all of #TeamYoung who spread the word to hundreds of thousands of voters and propelled us to victory,” Kim tweeted Nov. 10. “Your support means the world. I will fight every day to be your common sense voice in Congress, break through the partisan gridlock and deliver results for #CA40.”
In the 45th district — which includes Garden Grove, Fullerton, Westminster, Buena Park, Fountain Valley and Placentia — Republican incumbent Michelle Steel was reelected with about 53% of the vote against candidate Jay Chen.
“I am humbled to continue to fight for this community in Congress,” Steel tweeted Nov. 14. “Thank you to the voters of #CA45 for putting your trust in me. Let’s get to work.”
The 46th district centers on Anaheim. Democrat Lou Correa easily won reelection with about 61% of the vote against opponent Christopher Gonzalez.
The 47th district includes coastal cities like Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Seal Beach and Laguna Beach. Democratic Katie Porter won reelection with about 51% of the vote against opponent Scott Baugh.
“Families can count on me to continue standing up for them, speaking truth to power, and fighting corporate abuse,” Porter tweeted Nov. 16.
The OC Board of Supervisors also held elections for three open seats due to redistricting changes across the county. Incumbents included Katrina Foley and Doug Chaffee, while the several other candidates running, vie to secure a spot on the board for the first time.
As of Nov. 22, Foley was reelected for District 5 with just over 51% of the vote against opponent Pat Bates. In District 4, Chaffee is leading with about 55% of the votes against opponent Sunny Park. In District 2, Vincent Sarmiento has a narrow lead (51%) against Kim Bernice Nguyen.
“Our diverse coalition of supporters worked tirelessly to run a campaign focused on creating solutions for the issues facing Orange County families,” Foley tweeted Nov. 16. “I look forward to representing all residents of the Fabulous 5th District on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. #FoleyForce.”
With these results, Democrats are on the cusp of having a controlling majority of the Board of Supervisors for the first time in nearly 50 years.
