Election 2020: Harley Rouda locked in tight race with Michelle Steel for 48th Congressional District seat

Rep. Harley Rouda is locked in a tight race with challenger Michelle Steel for the 48th Congressional District seat.

As of 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Rouda, a Democrat from Emerald Bay in Laguna Beach, trailed Steel by almost 2,000 votes. Rouda had 167,229 votes, or 49.71%, according to data from the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

Steel, a Republican from Surfside who is currently serving as chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, had garnered 169,179 votes, reflecting 50.29%.

The results were based on a countywide 72.7% turnout, or about 1.3 million voters. All precincts had reported in.

The 48th comprises much of the Orange County coastline, including Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, as well as inland cities like Costa Mesa and Fountain Valley. It also includes portions of Westminster, Santa Ana and Garden Grove.

Rouda’s campaign platform has addressed climate change, offshore drilling and the coronavirus pandemic. He has supported Obamacare and various environmental policies.

As of Tuesday night, Rouda’s campaign staff had not provided a statement regarding his results.

Steel’s campaign focused on opening the economy and her longstanding mission of lowering taxes. She has also advocated against sanctuary cities and for strengthening border security.

In a statement on Twitter following the early returns, Steel said, “These past 18 months have been filled with hard work, long days and unexpected challenges at every turn. As we wait for the final outcome of this race, I can’t help but feel so lucky to have such a great team by my side, fighting with me. Thank you for your continued support.”

Rouda was first elected in 2018, upsetting the 15-term Costa Mesa Republican incumbent, Dana Rohrabacher. The victory pivoted Rouda into Orange County’s so-called blue wave, when its seven House of Representative seats made the historic switch into Democratic hands.

Steel is a longstanding figure in Orange County politics. After serving terms on the State Board of Equalization, she was first elected to represent the 2nd District as a county supervisor in 2014. She is married to Shawn Steel, a former chairman of the California Republican Party and a longtime activist.

In the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s Election Day, political observers considered the 48th a close race that would lean Democratic. However, Steel promised to be a strong contender for Rouda, given her strong ties to the county and, as a Korean American, her likely appeal the district’s Asian voters.

Rouda, a former real estate investor, is also considered more moderate than his O.C. Democratic peers, having only recently converted to the party.

Both candidates fundraised heavily, each amassing more than $5 million as of mid-October, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Early returns in for local state Legislature seats

Early mail-in ballot registrar returns Tuesday night were showing an upset for the 37th state Senate seat, held by John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa). As of 9 p.m., UC Irvine law professor Dave Min had 207,829 votes, about 57%, compared to the 153,707, nearly 43%, logged for Moorlach.

All precincts had reported in.

On Twitter, Min noted his lead over Moorlach, but added that the “race is far from over, but we feel good about where we are.”

Moorlach is a longtime Republican luminary in Orange County, having served two terms on the Board of Supervisors and, before that, several years as county treasurer. He has held the 37th seat since winning it in a special election in 2015.

In the race for the 74th Assembly seat, incumbent Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) held a commanding advantage over Newport Beach Councilwoman Diane Dixon, a Republican.

As of 9 p.m., with all precincts reporting in, Petrie-Norris had garnered 104,067 votes to Dixon’s 78,235, according to county registrar data.

Check dailypilot.com for continuing election coverage and results.

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