PIVOT Celebrates Historic Victory of Derek Tran in California's 45th Congressional District

November 27, 2024

PIVOT, the Progressive Vietnamese American Organization, is thrilled to celebrate the historic victory of Derek Tran in California's 45th Congressional District, home to the largest Vietnamese community in the United States. PIVOT devoted unprecedented resources into Tran’s race, driving culturally competent messaging, direct in-language outreach, and targeted support in the post-election ballot curing efforts. As the first Vietnamese American to represent Little Saigon in the U.S. Congress, Tran's win over incumbent Michelle Steel marks a significant milestone for the Vietnamese American community and represents a shift in political dynamics in Southern California’s Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

The election of Derek Tran, a son of Vietnamese refugees embodies a generational and ideological transformation within the Vietnamese American community, which has traditionally leaned Republican. Tran's success reflects how values like inclusiveness, opportunity, and fairness can bring people together.  His campaign embraced the rights to healthcare, bodily autonomy, and public schools inspired voters to look beyond old party lines and support a vision of progress rooted in a just and bright future for everyone. This historic win is a testament to the Vietnamese American community’s growing embrace of ideas that amplify diverse voices and drive real, meaningful change. 

Tung Nguyen, President and founder of PIVOT, stated, "Derek Tran's victory is a watershed moment for Vietnamese Americans. It shows that our community is not monolithic and that progressive values can resonate strongly with voters. Tran's success paves the way for a new generation of Vietnamese American leaders who can bring fresh perspectives to national politics." 

Cathy Lam, Board Treasurer of PIVOT and daughter of Tony Lam, the first Vietnamese American to hold elected office in the U.S., added, "As someone who has witnessed the evolution of Vietnamese American political engagement firsthand, I am incredibly proud to see Derek Tran break this barrier.”

PIVOT’s efforts extended beyond southern California. Through a robust and data-driven digital outreach campaign, PIVOT delivered an astounding 259 million display ads and videos across 69,000 websites, apps, and channels. This strategic initiative reached 19 million people, with each person encountering our message an average of 13.5 times. By crafting culturally resonant content and leveraging targeted strategies, we ensured that critical issues impacting Vietnamese Americans and other underrepresented communities were seen and heard. These efforts galvanized voters, amplified our mission, and demonstrated the transformative impact of thoughtful, community-centered advocacy.

PIVOT looks forward to working with Congressman-elect Tran to advance policies that benefit all Americans while addressing the needs of the Vietnamese American community. We believe his presence in Congress will bring much-needed perspective and representation to national debates. 

As we celebrate this historic moment, PIVOT reaffirms its commitment to fostering civic engagement and political participation among Vietnamese Americans. We are confident that Derek Tran's success will inspire more members of our community to engage in the political process and seek leadership roles at all levels of government.