Derek Tran, a first-time Democratic candidate, has flipped a toss-up California House seat, narrowly defeating Republican Rep. Michelle Steel, who conceded on Wednesday after a protracted vote count.
Tran had declared victory early this week and currently leads by roughly 600 votes.
Steel, a two-term representative, had been an elusive target for Democrats, occupying an Orange County district that had backed President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
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The race ended up being the most expensive House battle in the country, with at least $46 million spent by the campaigns and an array of outside groups.
