Vice-Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors to Challenge Freshman Democrat Harley Rouda
Huntington Beach, California– Today, Michelle Steel, the Vice-Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, announced her candidacy for California’s 48th congressional district with the endorsements of Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes and former U.S. Representatives Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, and Darrell Issa.
“Washington, D.C. has continuously failed us, and now more than ever people believe the political system is broken,” said Michelle Steel, a first-generation immigrant from South Korea. “I’m running to bring common-sense leadership to Congress and hold our leaders accountable so that we can get our country back on track.”
“Michelle Steel is an experienced leader and problem solver with a proven track record of positive results in Orange County, and I’m proud to endorse her for Congress,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.
A Korean-American who immigrated to the United States, Michelle Steel first became interested in public service when her single mother struggled to fight an unwarranted tax bill from the California State Board of Equalization. As an immigrant and small business owner, Steel’s mother lacked the resources needed to appeal the state agency and reluctantly acquiesced to the board’s demands.
Watching her mother struggle instilled in Michelle Steel a desire to serve her community, help those in need, and be a strong voice for the voiceless. Steel successfully ran for the California State Board of Equalization where she pledged to oppose all new taxes, prevent any tax increases, and presume all taxpayers are innocent until proven guilty when adjudicating tax appeals.
As a California State Board of Equalization member, Michelle Steel was the country’s highest ranking Korean American officeholder and California’s highest-ranking Republican woman.
Orange County’s 2nd Supervisorial district overlaps 66% of California’s 48th congressional district.
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.
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