Republican Scott Baugh has conceded to Democratic state legislator Dave Min in a heated race to succeed California Rep. Katie Porter, ensuring the toss-up Orange County district remains in the Democratic column.
“I was looking forward to working with Democrats, Republicans and @therealdonaldtrump to solve serious problems like an open border, increasing crime, and runaway federal spending,” Baugh said in a statement Tuesday night, “but the voters have spoken and this is not what is intended for me.”
Baugh, a two-time candidate, had narrowly lost the seat two years ago to Porter.
Porter’s decision to run for Senate instead of seeking reelection — which resulted in a middling third-place finish in the primary — caused significant angst among Democrats, who feared that it would be difficult to hold the seat without her national profile and fundraising prowess.
Though the Orange County district is no longer the Republican stronghold it used to be, Porter only barely eked out a win in 2022 over Baugh, a former Republican legislator and party operative.
Min, of Irvine, survived a bruising primary against fellow Democrat Joanna Weiss, who hammered him for a drunk driving arrest. In the general election, he touted his endorsement from law enforcement groups and portrayed Baugh as close to former President Donald Trump.