Van Tran, the Republican hoping to unseat Democrat Loretta Sanchez from her Orange County, Calif., seat in the House, got a boost from Michael Steele Monday. Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, stumped for Tran in Little Saigon.
He called the battle between Tran and Sanchez one of the top House races in the country, according to an
ocregister.com report.
“Absolutely for us this is a top 10,” Steele said at a press event in the Trai Cay Ngon exotic produce shop at the Asian Garden Mall. “Van, on the fundraising side, has passed some key thresholds. And he’s shown the ability to network with the community.”
Tran is trailing Sanchez, but Republicans think they can win the race and take back the seat. Tran has shown momentum in recent weeks. The 47th Congressional District has twice as many Latinos as Vietnamese Americans, but Vietnamese Americans turn out to vote in greater numbers. Tran also has been tabbed one of the GOP's 18 "Young Guns."
Steele also used the visit to push his "Fire Pelosi" effort.
Caroline Hogan, press secretary for Sanchez, brushed aside comments by Steele and Tran that the Republican is more in touch with the district.
“Congresswoman Sanchez is fighting to create good-paying jobs, strengthen our middle class, and revitalize our economy efforts that will help empower all Orange County families,” she said. “Congresswoman Sanchez has consistently supported the issues that are important to her Vietnamese constituents, including strengthening education, cutting taxes for the middle class, and increasing lending to small businesses. Her strong record speaks for itself.”
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