Washington Examiner

California’s 2024 race intensifies as contenders compete for Katie Porter’s seat.

The Congressional Race ‌in 𝅺California’s ‍Coastal District of Orange County

The congressional race in⁢ California’s ‌coastal𝅺 district of​ Orange⁤ County ⁢is gearing up to be a contentious matchup, with⁤ the electorate closely divided.

Candidates‌ are vying for voters⁤ in ⁢the 47th Congressional District ⁢to ⁢replace Rep. Katie‍ Porter (D-CA), who ‍won’t ⁣seek reelection as 𝅺she ​seeks ​the U.S. Senate​ seat held ⁢by ​Sen. ⁢Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

Tyranny of ⁣the Majority, or ​the⁤ Minority‍ of One

Orange County,‍ once a⁤ Republican stronghold, has more⁢ registered Democratic ‌voters than ‍Republicans, ‌37%⁢ to 34%, according⁣ to‌ 2021 state​ registration data.

While ⁣Porter secured⁣ her⁣ third term‍ in Congress ‌in‍ November ‌in the vastly⁢ redrawn 47th District,⁣ statewide‌ Republican candidates⁣ still ​won ⁣the‌ Orange⁤ County vote.‌ Two‌ Republican​ candidates ⁤are campaigning⁢ to replace⁢ Porter.

Scott Baugh

Former ​state‍ Assemblyman ‌Scott⁢ Baugh is the California Republican Party and Republican Party of ⁣Orange County’s selected candidate trying⁤ to flip⁤ the Golden State’s‍ 47th ⁤District.

𝅺⁣

Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) narrowly defeated Baugh in⁢ the‌ closely divided ​coastal district, 51.7% ⁤to 48.3%, as⁣ stated ‍in ‍the election⁤ results.

Baugh represented the state’s coastal 67th ‍District in ‌the ⁢California⁤ State𝅺 Assembly‍ from​ 1995 ​to ⁢2000, serving as𝅺 the𝅺 chairman ​of⁤ the‍ Republican Party⁣ of ​Orange⁣ County in 2004.

⁤ ⁣

Announcing his run in⁤ January ​for ​a𝅺 second attempt at ⁢winning𝅺 over California’s 47th‌ District, Baugh has raised​ over​ $1𝅺 million for his 2024‍ congressional ‌campaign.𝅺 Baugh​ has currently racked 𝅺in ‌the ⁣largest ⁢amount in individual‍ contributions.

“Voters ⁤are rightfully upset​ with the dysfunction ‌in ⁣Washington ⁤and deserve better,” Baugh‍ said in his​ campaign launch. ‍“I‍ am ready⁣ to go to​ work to restore thoughtful, conservative⁤ representation ​to‌ our part​ of Orange ‍County.”

𝅺

Baugh’s​ campaign website ‌hosts a 𝅺video ⁢emphasizing ⁢his focus​ on‍ keeping down crime in‌ Orange 𝅺County.

“It ​happens ‍all too often and 𝅺near ⁢here ⁣- ⁢a gang attack,𝅺 a⁣ senseless ⁣act ‍of violence,”𝅺 Baugh ‍said.⁢ “It’s 𝅺vile ‌and it’s wrong. ⁤That’s⁣ why I ⁤joined law‍ enforcement,⁣ parents, ‌and teachers⁤ to stop this𝅺 violence and give our⁣ kids ‍hope ​for their⁣ future.”

“As chairman of our Gang​ Reduction Intervention⁢ Partnership, we ‌are providing kids a ⁤chance to ‍succeed in ​the classroom and in life while ⁣preventing ⁤crime,” Baugh⁤ said.

Baugh ⁤chairs the Orange⁢ County 𝅺Gang Reduction ⁣and Intervention Partnership which ‌is a collaboration ⁢between Orange⁢ County ⁢law‌ enforcement ​agencies and⁣ officials ⁢to prevent ⁣minors from becoming⁤ involved in⁢ criminal street⁤ gangs.

During his previous​ bid for California’s ⁢47th District, ⁢Baugh ⁣emphasized his⁣ support for ​lowering ⁢the ⁣national debt,​ strengthening border security, and⁢ restoring ⁣operations⁤ that were negatively affected by ⁣the pandemic.

“Nancy ‍Pelosi, ⁣Katie‌ Porter, and their ‍radical 𝅺left-wing ‍allies in Congress just don’t‌ get it,” Baugh said in a‌ September​ 2022 ⁢campaign ​video. “Their‌ solution ‌to every problem is to ‌tax you more, ⁣spend more, and impose more‌ oppressive ⁣lockdowns that ​restrict our freedoms. I’m 𝅺running to change that to ‌secure ⁤the border to𝅺 slash the ⁣national​ debt ⁤and‌ keep‍ our‌ schools and⁢ businesses open.”

Baugh has racked‍ up ​dozens‍ of ‍notable endorsements,𝅺 including 𝅺support from House 𝅺Speaker 𝅺Kevin⁣ McCarthy (R-CA), House ​Majority Leader Steve Scalise ⁣(R-LA), ​House ⁢Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), House Republican ‌Conference Chairwoman​ Elise Stefanik (R-NY), ⁢and ‌multiple other GOP‍ members.

Max ⁣Ukropina

Max ‌Ukropina, founder​ of Newport‍ Beach𝅺 credit monitoring⁤ app ‌Float, entered the race in April as the ⁣second ⁣Republican‌ candidate vying ⁣to⁣ flip the ⁤seat⁣ currently‌ held ⁢by a Democrat.​ The⁢ Orange County⁢ native ​said if elected,𝅺 he’ll support lower taxes, stand up⁢ for ⁢small𝅺 businesses,⁣ and𝅺 fight to‌ keep the ​area‌ safe.

“It’s‌ one of‍ the ‍most expensive places‍ to live,”​ Ukropina told the⁢ Washington Examiner. “It’s the greatest place ​to ‌live, but ​the‌ costs are ⁢really⁤ against it.”

Ukropina emphasized that⁢ people⁤ shouldn’t ⁤have 𝅺to ⁤make the ‌decision between‍ buying‍ gas or ‌getting ‌groceries,‌ adding,𝅺 “the​ federal ‌government ​is ​making it even​ harder to⁢ get that𝅺 done.”

𝅺 ‌

“Spending ⁤is out of control. ⁢Taxes⁤ are out of control. Inflation ⁣is a direct cause of𝅺 that,” ⁣Ukropina said. “The debt ‌limit agreement ⁢that happened a‍ little over a⁤ month ago 𝅺did nothing, actually. ⁣We⁢ increased ​the ‍debt​ by ‍actually a trillion ⁤dollars in under‌ five weeks.”

The ⁤total ⁤national ‍debt𝅺 sits at around $32.54 trillion ⁤as of July 12, ‌$1​ trillion more than ⁣the $31.47𝅺 trillion level⁣ reported⁢ on June 2,𝅺 according to ‍Treasury⁤ Department data. President​ Joe​ Biden ​signed ‍the⁤ debt ceiling plan into‌ law ⁤on ⁣June 3, ⁢suspending⁢ the $31.4 ⁢trillion𝅺 borrowing𝅺 limit⁢ until January⁤ 2025.

Ukropina called‍ attention to𝅺 Orange County’s⁣ safe communities, ⁣with areas within the district ⁣often ranked𝅺 as some of the⁤ safest‍ cities𝅺 in America.

𝅺

“It’s⁣ a wonderful place, and it’s also⁤ a great ⁢case⁢ study in​ what it takes to have‍ a ‌safe community,” Ukropina said.​ “You drive 20 minutes north and it’s ⁣a ⁢complete ‍hellscape⁣ and they’ve ⁢allowed ‌lawlessness in their streets.”

Ukropina said​ that⁢ areas close ⁣to the ⁢47th District​ have residents ⁣“being poisoned by ⁤fentanyl, and rampant‌ homelessness and crimes⁤ openly ⁤happening‍ in the street ​and⁢ no ​one’s​ doing anything about ⁤it,”𝅺 adding⁢ that when you come⁤ to Orange County,​ it’s a ‍different story.

“I’m‌ running for‌ Congress,⁢ but the same​ people that​ support policies that ⁣are ‌happening in San Francisco‌ and‍ Los ​Angeles are‌ running ‍in 𝅺this 𝅺race,”​ Ukropina said.

𝅺 ⁢

Ukropina also claimed he ⁢will bring ⁤his𝅺 business⁤ background ‌to⁢ Washington, D.C., acknowledging that because𝅺 he 𝅺is ⁢a political ⁢outsider, that ⁤means he’s 𝅺“not⁤ beholden to ​anyone‌ but⁤ the voters.”

The‍ Republican ‍hopeful said‌ the𝅺 district⁢ needs “a ⁢candidate‍ that understands ⁢the issues⁤ that​ are important to ⁣Orange County from a ⁤Republican ⁣standpoint,” pointing out 𝅺that ⁣Orange County is still⁣ a ⁣conservative area.

⁤ ​

According to the​ Federal Election ‌Commission, ⁢other 𝅺Republican‌ candidates‌ that filed ​include⁤ Steven ​Cotton, James Griffin, and𝅺 Brian Burley, who⁣ ran in ⁤multiple primary 𝅺elections ​and a ⁤general election in 𝅺the past.

Dave ⁢Min

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State Sen. Dave ⁣Min was 𝅺the​ first major ‍Democratic candidate in⁢ January to‌ toss their​ hat into ‍the ring ⁤for the 47th⁢ District.

‍ ‌

The⁣ California‍ native currently ⁢represents the 37th State⁢ Senate District, 𝅺elected ⁤in 2020. ⁣Earning ⁤his law‌ degree⁢ from⁤ Harvard University, Min went ​on to ‍serve‌ as⁣ the Senate ⁣Banking Committee counsel for ‌Sen.​ Chuck Schumer (D-NY) before⁢ returning to ‍the Golden⁤ State‌ to work as𝅺 an⁢ assistant law‌ professor ⁤at UC ⁢Irvine.

“I’m‍ proud of ⁣the record I’ve ​built on the environment, gun violence‌ prevention, women’s reproductive ⁢rights,𝅺 the ⁣economy, and fighting ⁤hate,” Min ‌said in his campaign announcement.

Min⁤ quickly⁣ received Porter’s endorsement, ⁣with ​the Democratic ‍representative‌ saying ‌in a‍ statement, 𝅺“Dave has​ proven‍ that​ he can win in‌ this⁣ area ⁤while delivering ‍on a progressive agenda ‌with real ⁤results.”

Several⁢ other ⁤prominent𝅺 California Democrats‌ have 𝅺also⁤ endorsed ‍Min, ​including ⁤Lt.⁣ Gov.‍ Eleni ⁣Kounalakis, Attorney General​ Rob ⁢Bonta, and ​California State Treasurer ⁣Fiona Ma, according to ⁢his‌ campaign ⁢site.

Min raised𝅺 nearly $1 million since entering the ‌race at ‌the start of the ⁢year, 𝅺with 𝅺his campaign reporting his fundraising⁣ efforts‍ don’t take money ⁤from corporate PACs.

‌⁣

The‌ progressive candidate is⁣ running ‍his ​campaign ‍on​ supporting ⁢women’s⁣ rights,​ condemning​ the Supreme Court’s‌ decision𝅺 to overturn‌ Roe⁤ v. Wade, ⁣and⁣ pushing⁢ for‍ climate change ‌action as⁢ the chairman⁤ of the⁤ Senate‍ Natural Resources⁢ and ​Water ⁤Committee.

Min 𝅺has ⁣introduced legislation ⁣focused on 𝅺tackling safety issues in‌ public​ transit ⁤systems.​ In partnership ⁤with Stop⁣ AAPI Hate, ⁢Min𝅺 proposed ⁤a bill requiring 10 of California’s largest⁣ public transit systems to create ‍a⁢ community‌ survey ⁣tool collecting data‍ about ⁤ridership safety.

‌ ‌

Min faced ‍troubles with law ​enforcement⁤ in May ‌when ‍he was𝅺 arrested⁢ in Sacramento ⁢for ⁤driving ‌under the ⁣influence, 𝅺having​ a blood alcohol‍ level𝅺 nearly twice ⁤the​ legal limit.​ He was 𝅺pulled over ⁤by​ the ⁢California⁣ Highway ⁤Patrol for⁤ driving‌ through a red light without ⁣his ​headlights ‌on, according to police‍ reports.

“To‍ my family, ⁣constituents, and ‍supporters,‌ I𝅺 am so ⁤deeply ⁢sorry,” Min​ wrote⁣ on Facebook. “I​ know I ⁣need to do better. ⁣I will ⁢not let𝅺 this ‌personal failure ⁣distract from ⁣our work‍ in ⁣California 𝅺and⁣ in Washington.”

Min’s​ arrest caused some Democratic lawmakers‍ to ‌pull their⁤ support,𝅺 including⁣ former⁣ Democratic‌ congressman ⁢Harley‌ Rouda, who‍ was ⁤a contender​ in ⁣the congressional race before𝅺 pulling out‍ in April for⁣ health reasons.

“While ‍we𝅺 thank‌ Dave Min for ‍his service ‍to the party, with his 𝅺recent 𝅺DUI𝅺 he ​should immediately𝅺 withdraw⁢ from the race,” Rouda⁣ said 𝅺in a ⁢statement.

Ukropina told​ the𝅺 Washington Examiner⁤ while ‍Min’s⁢ situation ⁤is disappointing,‍ it’s⁢ a matter⁤ of the 𝅺Democratic‌ Party.

“I’ll ⁢let​ the ‍Democrats have𝅺 their own party issues,” Ukropina ⁤said. “It’s deeply disappointing what⁣ happened with Dave Min,”​ adding, “you ​hate to see that lapse 𝅺in⁢ judgment, but‌ if‍ Katie Porter⁤ wants ⁢to keep her endorsement, it does ⁢not ‍affect me.”

“While I ‍approach this matter⁣ with​ the utmost𝅺 respect 𝅺for ‌all ⁤parties involved, I ⁣believe ​it⁢ would have been​ appropriate ‍for𝅺 Katie‌ Porter to address𝅺 and​ withdraw‍ her‍ support of ‍Dave⁣ Min‍ following ​his DUI‌ incident,” ⁤Dom Jones, ⁤a Democratic candidate in the⁢ race, told⁢ the ⁤Washington Examiner,⁢ adding “we cannot condone 𝅺or endorse such ​behavior.”

The​ Washington Examiner reached out ⁣to⁢ Min’s campaign.

Joanna Weiss

Joanna 𝅺Weiss,‌ founder ‍and ⁣president of Women𝅺 for American Values ⁢and ⁢Ethics, announced𝅺 in February‍ that‌ she’s ‌seeking to ​represent the district⁢ to keep 𝅺the seat Democratic.

Weiss,⁢ an Orange County native from⁣ a military family,⁣ is⁤ a former ​litigator⁢ and former adjunct‌ law ​professor at​ Chapman⁢ University. She⁢ founded ‍WAVE 𝅺in ​2016,‌ which has supported​ multiple California𝅺 Democratic ⁤candidates,⁢ including​ Porter,‍ Rep. Mike⁣ Levin, Sen. Tom𝅺 Umberg, ⁤and ⁢Min.

⁤ ⁤

“I’m the founder and 𝅺past ⁤president of WAVE –⁤ Women for ​American Values and‌ Ethics,” Weiss ⁤said in𝅺 her campaign launch.⁢ “A grassroots organization that⁢ has ⁢activated ⁣thousands ‍of ⁣Orange County ​residents to⁤ support Democratic candidates⁢ and progressive issues.”

⁢ ⁤

Weiss‌ is focusing her campaign ​on progressive ‌ideals​ and‌ influencing policy ‍at a local 𝅺level, such𝅺 as supporting ⁢a fair𝅺 economy.

⁣ ‍

“I’m⁤ running because⁣ I believe ⁣in‍ affordable‍ healthcare ⁣and a⁤ strong and‌ equitable economy𝅺 for ​all,” Weiss⁣ said ​in𝅺 her campaign ‌launch.

Like⁢ most 𝅺Democrats, Weiss 𝅺is ​pushing a strong message of protecting⁣ reproductive‌ rights, 𝅺pinning ⁢it 𝅺as a⁢ top ​issue ⁢for⁤ this election cycle.

“We need affordable housing⁢ now and for ‌future𝅺 generations,”​ Weiss said. “We 𝅺need𝅺 to reduce⁢ homelessness,‍ and ‌we⁢ must⁣ address the​ devastating effects ‌of climate change, and we need⁢ to protect ⁢women’s reproductive rights.”

Weiss received an 𝅺endorsement ​from EMILY’s‌ List, one​ of ⁣the⁤ nation’s ​top abortion rights groups ⁣which​ commonly helps candidates with ⁤fundraising and support.

“As we​ look forward𝅺 to ⁣the next ⁤election, we⁣ know 𝅺that defending U.S. 𝅺House seats ⁣with ⁤a⁢ record𝅺 of𝅺 strong, ⁢Democratic pro-choice ‍leadership𝅺 will be ​a⁣ critical 𝅺part of 𝅺protecting ⁢and ⁤restoring ​our𝅺 freedoms in the 𝅺coming years,” EMILY’s List said in⁢ a June press release.

Rep. ⁢Lois Frankel (D-FL),⁤ chairwoman of the Democratic Women’s𝅺 Caucus ⁤and⁢ a longtime⁣ women’s⁤ rights activist, ​has ⁢also ⁢endorsed​ Weiss.

She served on ‍the ⁣board𝅺 of⁣ directors‌ for‍ the Public​ Law⁤ Center ​for over 10 ‌years and ⁢provided pro⁤ bono legal𝅺 work⁤ “helping domestic‍ violence ⁣survivors, ‍seniors on fixed incomes, and special needs students.”

Her⁢ campaign raised ​over $400,000 ⁢during⁤ the second ⁣quarter,‌ bringing in 𝅺$354,007‍ in the⁢ first. Weiss⁢ said ​90% ​of⁤ the ⁢support 𝅺came⁣ from‍ California residents​ and𝅺 she⁣ didn’t ⁤take ⁣funds⁢ from corporate‍ PACs.

“I’m running ‌because ‌we need⁢ fresh new leaders who ​are focused on the big ⁢challenges we ​face​ as​ a‌ country𝅺 and here 𝅺in⁤ Orange​ County,” Weiss ⁣said.

The Washington‍ Examiner ​reached 𝅺out ‌to 𝅺Weiss’s⁢ campaign.

Dom ​Jones

Dominique “Dom” Jones, a Huntington ‍Beach business owner⁢ and community activist, entered𝅺 the 𝅺race in January. She’s ‌been​ a resident ⁢of 𝅺the district for⁣ nearly 10 years.𝅺 If elected, ​she’ll​ be‌ the first ⁣African American woman elected‌ to​ Congress from​ Orange County.

If elected, Jones plans to work ‌together ⁤with𝅺 her ​congressional colleagues ‌to address𝅺 Orange County’s ⁤most⁢ pressing issues, such ⁣as ensuring everyone𝅺 has financial ⁢stability.

“By working⁣ towards⁣ a𝅺 balanced⁢ budget and ⁢implementing targeted measures to​ stimulate sustainable⁤ economic growth,‍ we can ⁤mitigate inflationary pressures and ‍create ⁤an⁣ environment⁢ conducive to ⁣affordability and prosperity,”‍ Jones told the Washington Examiner.

⁢ ​

Jones⁢ also seeks to ⁣tackle ⁣the⁤ root⁤ causes of inflation ‌and ‍rising⁤ costs⁣ in ‍California by⁣ pushing measures aimed ⁣at ​addressing​ healthcare, education, and housing.

“By promoting competition⁣ and transparency in 𝅺these⁤ sectors, we ​can ‍curb​ excessive price ‍hikes and empower individuals and ‍families with greater control‌ over their expenses,” ‌Jones said. ⁤”Additionally,​ I ​will collaborate with ⁢my colleagues to 𝅺explore⁢ innovative solutions, including tax ⁤reforms and strategic⁢ investments, to alleviate ⁢the​ burden of inflation and enhance ‍the purchasing power‍ of𝅺 everyday Americans.”

Jones serves on⁢ Planned​ Parenthood’s⁤ Electoral⁣ and Advocacy⁣ Committee⁣ to⁣ support ⁣pro-abortion rights candidates.

‍ ⁣

Since‌ January, Jones has been ‌the ⁢2nd Vice ⁢President ​of the‍ Democrats​ of⁤ West Orange⁤ County. ⁤Collaborating‌ with ​the ‍Democratic‌ Party Of Orange County ⁣to support candidates such as Porter’s⁤ reelection ‍last⁤ year, Jones is also an alternate⁤ on ⁢the Central ⁢Committee,⁣ which​ is 𝅺a⁤ group ⁤of local​ Democrats elected by voters in ​each Assembly ⁣district.

𝅺

Jones ⁢is committed to ⁢ending ‌homelessness, stemming from past⁣ financial⁣ insecurity and facing⁢ homelessness⁣ herself, 𝅺and she hopes 𝅺to𝅺 tackle the high⁢ costs of housing 𝅺and is urging​ the Democratic Party to 𝅺focus on the crisis.

𝅺

“Housing is a basic 𝅺human need. ​Plain and⁣ simple,”​ Jones said in ⁤a𝅺 statement ‌attached⁣ to⁢ an endorsement⁢ from Blue ⁢America,‍ a ​PAC supporting the progressive movement. “America’s aspirational ‍dream of equality for all is ⁤a​ noble cause ​worth𝅺 fighting‌ for and it ​starts ‍with⁣ ensuring every ​child has⁣ a ​safe 𝅺place to ​call home.”

⁢‍

Jones ⁣urges‌ the Democratic Party⁤ to focus ⁣on⁤ the homelessness ⁢crisis the nation is ⁣facing, ⁣pointing⁣ to ⁢members of Congress who ⁢have 𝅺shared similar experiences with housing 𝅺insecurity, such𝅺 as Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), who has ⁤pushed “for legislation ‍that would meaningfully ​address⁢ this⁣ multifaceted ‍crisis.”

𝅺

California has faced a rise ‍in ⁤fentanyl use and ‌opioid-involved overdose⁢ deaths in ⁣recent⁤ years, ​with‌ state 𝅺lawmakers ⁣allocating​ over $1‍ billion to ​combat the crisis. Jones outlined ⁣her plan to tackle the epidemic, noting ⁢unity ⁢is ​needed ⁤to create “resilience ​within⁢ our communities” ‌and‌ to ‍”forge a brighter, drug-free‌ future for all.”

“By leveraging𝅺 these three strategic ‍pillars — expanding access to treatment, 𝅺fostering⁢ public education, and ⁤enhancing law enforcement — we ⁢can together confront the rise in fentanyl‍ overdoses and make 𝅺substantial progress ‍in curbing𝅺 California’s drug⁤ crisis,” Jones said.

CLICK​ HERE TO​ READ⁢ MORE ⁤FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Falling⁤ along ‍party ‍lines, Jones ⁢hopes⁤ to have a ‌robust climate‍ action agenda and supports ⁢small businesses⁢ and small business owners.

‌ ‌

According to the ‍Federal Election Commission, ‍Lori Kirkland Baker, ⁣a Democrat and a Hollywood𝅺 television writer and‌ producer, ​has‌ also ⁤entered the race.



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