| The unprecedented early endorsement of the local Republican Party firmly solidifies County Supervisor Michelle Steel as the Republican front runner in the 48th Congressional District Huntington Beach, CA– Last night, the Republican Party of Orange County’s central committee overwhelmingly voted to endorse County Supervisor Michelle Steel in her bid for U.S. Congress. The early endorsement by the Republican Party of Orange County, nearly ten months before the California primary election, firmly solidifies Steel as the Republican front runner to take on Democrat Harley Rouda. “Michelle Steel is a talented and respected elected official who has successfully protected taxpayers and provided real solutions to our county’s toughest challenges. Michelle’s record compared to Harley Rouda’s is no contest,” said Fred Whitaker, Chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County. “The 48th is Orange County’s most Republican congressional seat. Harley talks ‘middle of the road’ solutions when speaking to constituents in the district but votes in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi and supports her extreme, liberal agenda.” “I’m honored to have the endorsement and support of the Republican Party of Orange County for my campaign for Congress,” said Michelle Steel, Vice Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “The extreme left agenda of House Democrats does not represent Orange County’s values. I’ll fight to ensure taxes are low, healthcare is accessible and affordable, and the economy is vibrant.” In just a few short weeks, Michelle Steel has firmly established herself as the likely Republican candidate to face Democrat Harley Rouda with early support of the district’s most influential leaders including Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, County Supervisor Andrew Do, State Assemblyman Tyler Diep, and the Lincoln Club of Orange County. In 2018, Steel was overwhelmingly re-elected to represent Orange County’s 2nd Supervisorial district with 63.4% of the vote. The 2nd supervisorial district overlaps 66% of California’s 48th congressional district and is solely in Orange County. The 48th district encompasses all or portions of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, and Westminster. |
