Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories on the June 2 primary election in California.
(The Center Square) – Voters in Southern California’s 45th Congressional District will consider immigration, economic concerns and healthcare ahead of the June 2 primary election.
Proposition 50, a redistricting effort in California aimed at electing more Democrats into Congress, altered the boundaries of the 45th district. U.S. Rep. Derek Tran, D-California, is seeking a second term in the district, which mostly includes Orange County.
Five Republicans are running against Tran. The top two vote getters in the race, regardless of party affiliation, will proceed to the Nov. 3 general election.
Tran, an immigration attorney and U.S. Army Veteran, secured $1 million in federal funding for flood prevention architecture so far in his first term. He has also sought to bring forth legislation protecting small businesses from cyber attacks and hacking.
Tran has more than $3.6 million in campaign contributions, according to the most recent filings from the Federal Election Commission. He received a more than $9,000 donation from the Jeffries Battleground Protection fund, a political action committee authorized by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, to support Democratic campaigns across the country.
Tran has also received donations from the New York life insurance PAC and the political action committee for PriceWaterHouseCoopers, an accounting and consulting firm. He runs a pharmacy with his wife and has kept healthcare a central focus of his campaign.
Tran did not respond to The Center Square’s multiple requests for an interview to participate in this story.
“Derek will continue to defend Medicare so everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare,” Tran’s website reads.
A former immigration attorney, Tran has kept a close eye on the Trump administration’s immigration policies. However, he was criticized by Democrat-aligned groups for voting in favor of the Laken Riley Act, which requires illegal immigrants to be detained if arrested or charged with a crime.
“I voted to ensure that those committing crimes, no matter their immigration status, are held to a standard of justice under the law – including individuals who assault law enforcement officers or violently harm others,” Tran said.
Tran holds a large fundraising advantage over his other candidates in the district. He is the first Vietnamese American to represent the district, which is largely made up of Asian American and Latino residents.
Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, entrepreneur Mark Leonard, Westminster City Councilmember Amy Phan West, former police officer Chuong Vo and real estate agent Tom Vo are all running against Tran in the primary.
West, Nguyen, Chuong Vo and Tom Vo did not respond to The Center Square’s requests for an interview. Leonard was unavailable to participate in an interview.
Nguyen has focused his campaign on enforcing the Trump administration’s immigration policies and ensuring public safety. He came to the U.S. at 14 from Vietnam and has slammed Democrats’ policies, including the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
“In Congress, I will put the safety of American families first by holding criminals accountingable, supporting law enforcement and enforcing immigration laws so our communities are safe, orderly and free,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen has $459,625 in campaign contributions, according to recent Federal Election Commission filings. He has the largest portion of campaign funds among Republican candidates in the 45th district. Most of his donations appear to be from individual donors.
Another candidate is West, a Westminster City Council member who was in the news. In 2025, she was charged with using her position of political influence to engage in bribery to avoid a parking ticket. Ultimately, West was required to complete 20 hours of community service, pay a fine and take an ethics class following the charges.
Her campaign for Congress received nearly $53,000 in contributions, according to the most recent FEC filings. The majority of her recorded donations are from individuals in California.
West has focused her campaign on fighting against tax increases, reducing energy dependence, cutting government spending and finishing the wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
She has highlighted her family’s story fleeing Vietnam and warned against policies in the United States.
“I remember the fear of not knowing if we’d ever be free,” West’s website reads. “I remember what it costs to lose your country, and what it takes to reclaim your life.”
Voting centers will be open May 23 to June 1 in Voter’s Choice Act counties and May 30 to June 1 elsewhere. Voters should check with their counties for further details.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 2, Election Day. For more information, go to the Secretary of State’s website, sos.ca.gov. Early election results will be published on the evening of June 2 at www.thecentersquare.com/california.
