Rouda And Steel Look Toward November Election

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The 48th District Democratic incumbent congressman Harley Rouda will do battle in November against Republican candidate Michelle Steel.

According to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, Rouda ended the night with a substantial lead in the district with 56,943 votes cast. He earned 43.7 percent of the vote to Steel's 36.7 percent, with all precincts reporting.

According to Rouda, no Democrat has ever earned more than 30 percent of the primary vote in the 48th District. Rouda also has out-raised Steel 2.5 to 1 in fundraising efforts, leaving him in a good spot heading toward the general election. Still, the congressman shows no sign of slowing down.

"Our district has rejected partisanship and Washington politics as usual, and tonight was a resounding example of that commitment," Rouda said in a statement. "I'm running for reelection to continue our work to lower prescription drug costs, protect our coastline, and stand up to the insiders and special interests that run Washington."

Steel serves as the chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. She has said she wants to provide a "strong voice in Washington, D.C." and has pointed to her work on the Board of Supervisors, to keep taxes low, traffic congestion minimal, and ensure the "bays and coastlines are clean."

Rouda won the district in Nov. 2018 from Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher.

Read: REAL-TIME RESULTS: 48th District, 73rd, 74th CA Assembly Races