LOS ANGELES — GOP Rep. Michelle Steel held onto her congressional seat after a campaign that included claims of red-baiting, misogyny and racism in a congressional district created to empower Asian American voters.
In an Orange County district centered on the community of Little Saigon, Steel bested Jay Chen, a Democratic Navy reserve officer, in one of the most divisive races in California this year. The Associated Press called the race Monday, though official results will take longer.
Steel, who is Korean American, and Chen, who is Taiwanese American, competed to represent California’s new 45th district, which straddles Los Angeles and Orange counties.
