California's 45th Congressional District election, 2026
California's 45th Congressional District race in 2026, centered on incumbent Democrat Derek Tran and the Republican field following former Rep. Michelle Steel's reported decision not to run again.
Candidates
Derek Tran
Derek Tran is the U.S. representative for California’s 45th Congressional District and is seeking re-election in 2026. According to his House biography, he is an Army veteran, attorney, and small business owner who was born and raised in Los Angeles County and has represented the district since 2025.
Michelle Steel is a Republican former U.S. representative from Orange County, California, who served in the U.S. House from 2021 to 2025 after earlier service on the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the California State Board of Equalization. In August 2025, the Orange County Register reported that she would not run for Congress in 2026, so her 2026 candidacy status should be treated as not active unless later filings or announcements show otherwise.
Polling
Data Analysis Information
Data compiled from public sources and analyzed using AI. Last updated 4/7/2026. Visit candidate websites for the most current information.