Derek Tran

Derek Truyen Tran is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing California's 45th Congressional District. Born on December 22, 1980, in Los Angeles County to Vietnamese refugees, Tran grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. He served eight years in the United States Army Reserve, enlisting at age 18, and was activated for Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Bentley University in 2003 and a Juris Doctor from Glendale University College of Law in 2013. Before entering politics, Tran worked as a consumer rights and workers' rights attorney, specializing in employment law and representing survivors of sexual harassment. He founded the Tran Firm in Huntington Beach and co-owns a local pharmacy with his wife, Michelle. His civic experience includes serving as a traffic commissioner for the City of Orange and working on public safety policy for the Mayor of Los Angeles. In 2024, Tran was elected to the 119th Congress, defeating the Republican incumbent in one of the nation's most closely watched races. He is the first Vietnamese American to represent California in the U.S. House of Representatives. Since taking office in January 2025, Tran has served on the House Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Small Business. His legislative efforts have focused on protecting veterans' employment, increasing oversight of corporate interests, and expanding access to healthcare. He is a member of several caucuses, including the Congressional Army Caucus and the Community Health Center Caucus, reflecting his background in military service and small business ownership.

Derek Tran maintains a policy platform focused on healthcare, economic equity, and civil rights. He views healthcare as a right, advocating for the protection of the Affordable Care Act, lowering prescription drug costs, and opposing cuts to Medicare and Social Security. He is a strong supporter of reproductive rights, pledging to codify abortion access into federal law and protect funding for Planned Parenthood and IVF treatments. On economic issues, Tran supports raising the minimum wage to a living wage, strengthening workers' rights, and holding corporations accountable for discriminatory practices. His immigration platform includes supporting comprehensive reform that provides a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers and farmworkers, while utilizing technology for border security and opposing mass deportations. In foreign policy, Tran emphasizes the importance of standing firm against the influence of the Chinese Communist Party and supporting democratic values and human rights globally. Additionally, he supports environmental initiatives such as investing in clean energy jobs and expanding public transit to address climate change.