ORANGE, Calif. – Republican Reps. Young Kim and Michelle Steele are optimistic.
It is a species that is in danger of extinction, but scientifically California RepublicanThe Orange County-based lawmakers are confident voters will elect them to Congress for a third term this fall.
First elected in 2020, both districts have been hot targets of campaigning from both parties this year, but Kim and Steele aren't afraid of a fight.
“My family and I came here as immigrants and we're now living the American Dream, but California isn't the same as it once was,” Kim told The Washington Post when asked about residents leaving the state for better conditions, citing concerns about the cost of living and quality of life.
“But I'm here, I'm not going away, I'm going to keep fighting, and hopefully, in a short time, we can restore our hope and our Golden State and preserve the American Dream for future generations,” she continued.
Kim will face off against retired fire captain Joe Carr this November, while Steele will face off against Army veteran and lawyer Derek Tran.
They won their constituencies in 2022 with 57% and 52% of the votes, respectively.
Steele told The Washington Post that he believes his district's growing immigrant population and the values they bring to the community will benefit his campaign.
“I still see hope. I have a lot of immigrants coming into my district, especially Asian American immigrants. About 37 percent of our district are first generation Asian American, and they're here and they're working hard and they realize that. Something has to change. And finally, change is coming,” Steele said.
They noted that the economy is the biggest issue for Californians, with many of them facing high state tax burdens and a high cost of living.
They both voted against the Inflation Control Act and a bipartisan infrastructure bill, which drew praise for investments and criticism for high costs.
Steele's campaign poster simply reads: “Stop Inflation, Lower Taxes.”
“I currently sit on the Ways and Means Committee, and I believe a lot of taxes are set to expire starting in 2017,” Steele said, noting that the Trump administration's tax overhaul is set to expire in 2025.
“So we're working on that. The Biden administration wants to raise the corporate tax rate to 28 percent, but how are we going to keep the corporate tax rate at 21 percent?”
“I am working on the Anti-Inflation Act and urge Congress not to pass any bills that would accelerate inflation until the year-over-year inflation rate falls below 4.5 percent. No bills that would further increase the burden should be passed,” Kim added.
When it comes to winning the race, Kim and Steele emphasized low-key tactics, especially since every precinct in Orange County voted for Biden in 2020.
Both campaigns are staffed with interns and volunteers who spend hours phone banking in campaign offices and canvassing door-to-door in the Southern California sun.
But the campaign has not been without criticism: issues like abortion, IVF and Project 2025 are central to the Democratic message and have been a thorn in the side of Republican candidates in tight races across the country.
But Kim argues that at least one of these issues is merely a distraction.
“I think it's only the media that's talking about Project 2025,” Kim said. “We're not talking about it. The voters in my district aren't talking about it either. So the very polarizing news that's happening in this country is exaggerated,” she concluded.
a press release “Young Kim and Donald Trump's Project 2025 is an extreme manifesto that will have far-reaching consequences for California,” the DCCC chairman declared in July.
Meanwhile, an advertisement from a Democratic Party supporter group House Majority Advances A statement aired on Orange County radio claiming that Steele “tried to ban abortion in California.”
Steele spoke to The Washington Post about where he stands on this thorny policy issue and another hot topic this term: in vitro fertilization.
“I've always said that, but there are three exceptions: incest, rape and the maternal health. Other than that I'm pro-life,” Steele said.
“Then IVF came along. I underwent IVF and after six years I had two beautiful children and I am so grateful. IVF should not be banned; it is truly necessary. I built my family through IVF so everyone knows where I stand on the abortion issue,” she added.
Cook Political Report It rates Steele's race as “Republican Predominant” and Kim's race as “Republican Predominant.”
As of June 30, California's two incumbent senators had more money in the bank than their opponents. Kim He has assets worth $3.6 million compared with about $470,000 for Mr Carr. steel has $3.8 million, and Tran has $1.15 million.
