Republican Scott Baugh has conceded to Democratic state lawmaker Dave Min in a heated race to succeed California Rep. Katie Porter, keeping the bloated Orange County district in the Democratic column.
“I looked forward to working with Democrats, Republicans and @therealdonaldtrump to solve serious problems like an open border, rising crime and runaway federal spending,” Baugh said in a statement Tuesday night, “but voters have spoken and this is not the case. what is meant for me.”
Baugh, a two-term candidate, had narrowly lost the seat to Porter two years ago.
Porter’s decision to run for Senate rather than seek re-election — which resulted in a mediocre third-place finish in the primaries — caused widespread anxiety among Democrats, who feared it would be difficult to hold the seat without her national profile and fundraising ability.
Although the Orange County district is no longer the Republican stronghold it used to be, Porter narrowly pulled off a 2022 victory over Baugh, a former Republican lawmaker and party operative.
Min, of Irvine, survived a painful primary against fellow Democrat Joanna Weiss, who targeted him for a DUI arrest. In the general election, he touted his support among law enforcement groups and portrayed Baugh as close to former President Donald Trump.
