Orange, Calif. — Upon news of Congressman Harley Rouda’s concession in the 48th Congressional District and a special election for the Board of Supervisors 2nd District, Democratic Party of Orange County Chairwoman Ada Briceño released the following statement:
“Congressman Harley Rouda is an outstanding leader who put Orange County residents first. This election was extremely close, so make no mistake: We’re taking this seat back in 2022.
It’s encouraging to see voters across Orange County vote Democratic in large numbers. Momentum is with us, and we’re already gearing up to flip the 2nd District Board of Supervisors seat in the upcoming special election.
Democrats have a strong bench of candidates ready to run and win. Our network of grassroots supporters are fired up. We’re hearing the community share support for a variety of leaders like Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley and others. The Democratic nominee isn’t determined, we will go through an endorsement process soon — but it’s clear the community is ready to flip this seat blue.”
About the Democratic Party of Orange County
Once famously known as “Reagan country,” after President Reagan called Orange County the place where “all good Republicans go to die,” Orange County is rapidly shifting from a Republican stronghold into a highly diverse Democratic metropolis.
Chairwoman Ada Briceno, a longtime labor organizer, Co-President of UNITE HERE Local 11, and Democratic National Committee member, is the first immigrant and second Latina to lead the Democratic Party of Orange County. Her executive leadership team includes Latino, Vietnamese, millennial, and LGBT representation.
Democrats swept all seven Congressional seats in Orange County in 2018. Less than a year later, Democrats overtook countywide voter registration to become the region’s leading political party. Today, OC Democrats have gained more than a 2-point voter advantage over the GOP.
In the 2020 elections, Orange County voters overwhelmingly chose Joe Biden over Donald Trump, and Democrats either held or expanded their representation in every city council, school board, water district and special district that they ran for. There are now more Democrats serving on school boards in Orange County than Republicans or independents.
Orange County is the nation’s sixth largest county, with 3.2 million residents and more than half a million registered Democratic voters.
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For Immediate Release: November 10, 2020
Media Contact: Rachel Potucek, rachel@ocdemocrats.org