Flipping California’s 45th District Against the National Tide

In 2024, Nesbitt & Parrinello conducted comprehensive self-research for Derek Tran’s congressional campaign in California’s 45th District. Despite a challenging national environment that saw Democrats lose the presidency, Tran successfully flipped this competitive Orange County seat from red to blue, demonstrating the power of thorough candidate preparation and strategic positioning.

Our self-research covered Tran’s background as a business owner and attorney, his military record, and policy positions, providing his campaign with a complete understanding of potential vulnerabilities and strengths. This enabled proactive messaging strategies, providing the foundation for a campaign that could weather attacks and maintain credibility with voters who ultimately chose change at the local level despite national voting patterns.