LOS ANGELES (AP) — Republican Scott Baugh has conceded in his race against Democrat Dave Min in a U.S. House of Representatives district in Southern California, ending his bid to capture the seat vacated by the Democratic Rep. Katie Porter.
The Associated Press has not yet declared a winner because thousands of ballots have not yet been counted.
In a post on the social media platform
The 47th District in Orange County, southeast of Los Angeles, has been a prime target for national Republicans seeking to protect and potentially expand the party’s slim majority in the House.
On Tuesday, Republican Rep. David Valadao’s victory in California’s 22nd District brought Republicans within two wins of retaining the gavel, with a score of 216-207 in favor of the Republican Party as counting continued in a series races across the country.
Several races remained ongoing in California that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives next year.
Min, who also posted on
California is known as a liberal protectorate — Democrats hold every office in the entire state, dominate the legislature and congressional delegation, and outnumber registered Republicans by a staggering 2-1 ratio. Yet Republicans still retain political power in Southern California’s suburbs and vast rural areas, including the Central Valley.
Orange County was once considered conservative hallowed ground, where white homeowners in the suburbs delivered winning margins to Republicans year after year. It was a fundamental block in the Reagan Revolution. But the county has become more demographically diverse and democratic over time, as has much of the state.
The 47th District, which includes Huntington Beach and other famous surfing beaches, is held by Porter, a progressive favorite who narrowly defeated Baugh, a former Republican lawmaker, in 2022. Porter, known for his criticism of CEOs during hearings on Capitol Hill, stepped aside to run for U.S. Senate but lost in the primaries.
Given the stakes in the closely divided district, the battle was particularly rancorous. Min ads called Baugh a “MAGA extremist” who would endanger abortion rights. Baugh said Min’s “extremely liberal views” were not in line with the district.
