Orange County's 39th Congressional District: 2018 LIVE RESULTS

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Voters from Orange County's 39th congressional district headed to the polls Tuesday in one of the more interesting races in California's November 6, 2018 election.

(See live widget below for the latest on the race for the 39th District)

Democrat Gil Cisneros is battling Republican Young Kim for the District 39 seat being vacated by Republican Ed Royce. The 39th district covers northern Orange County, including Yorba Linda and Fullerton, as well as parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

A longtime Republican stronghold, the district backed Hillary Clinton with a margin of more than 8 points in the 2016 presidential election, according to poll gurus at FiveThirtyEight. Polls show Cisneros has a narrow lead over Kim as of late October.

Kim, a Korean immigrant, small business owner and a 25-year public servant, has worked for retiring 39th District Congressman Ed Royce and has served in the California State Assembly. Kim has attacked Cisneros as a relative newcomer to the area. In discussing Cisneros, she has said that he only lived within the district "back when he dated his wife," and does not have a "strong connection with the community compared to someone who has raised a family here, worked in the community and represented them."

As Royce's protege, Kim has his full backing, along with that of the White House. However, she is attempting to distance herself from President Trump, according to a report from ABC7. For example, the report said, Kim believes humans contribute to climate change.

Cisneros, battling back, has said that "people know ... that (Kim) is tied to Trump, that she supports his agenda, whether it's tearing kids away from their parents down at the border or his lack of support for education."

Kim continues to tout that she knows and serves the community of the 39th District and that she is the one running for the spot, not Royce or Trump.

The race remains one of the most closely watched in the nation because it's one Democrats hope to flip in order to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Voting by mail has already begun in the district, and by Nov. 6, voters in the 39th District will have a rare chance to steer politics on the national stage.

Renee Schiavone Photo