2026 Congressional Races — California's 45th & 46th Districts

1. Does This District Affect My Neighborhood?

Yes. California's 45th Congressional District covers a significant portion of northern Fullerton, with the city split between the 45th and 46th districts along the Chapman Avenue/Malvern Avenue corridor. If you live north of that dividing line, which includes much of Raymond Hills, Golden Hills, and the northern edges of Sunny Hills, your representative in Congress is decided by this race.

Beyond Fullerton, the district also encompasses Buena Park, Brea, Cypress, Garden Grove, Westminster, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Hawaiian Gardens, Artesia, Cerritos, and portions of Yorba Linda, Lakewood, and Fountain Valley. It is one of the most ethnically diverse congressional districts in the nation, with a large and culturally influential Vietnamese American community centered around Westminster's Little Saigon.

2. Meet the Candidates

The June 2 primary featured six candidates, including sitting Representative Derek Tran, who won this seat in 2024 and is now running for re-election. Under California's top-two primary system, all candidates appeared on the same ballot regardless of party, and the top two vote-getters will advance to the November 3, 2026 general election. Here is a brief overview of the field:

Primary Results Snapshot — 45th District

The June 2 primary results are being tabulated by the Orange County Registrar of Voters. As of the latest available returns, here is where the race stands. Under California's top-two primary system, the two highest vote-getters will advance to the November 3 general election regardless of party affiliation.

1. Does This District Affect My Neighborhood?

Yes — if you live in central or southern Fullerton. California's 46th Congressional District covers parts of central Orange County, including sections of Fullerton, Anaheim, and Santa Ana. The city of Fullerton is split between the 45th and 46th Districts, generally along the Chapman Avenue/Malvern Avenue corridor. Residents living south of that line are represented by the CA-46 seat. This means that neighbors just a few blocks apart may have entirely different congressional representatives.

Beyond Fullerton, the 46th District encompasses significant portions of Anaheim (including the Anaheim Resort area), Santa Ana, Garden Grove, and Stanton. It is a densely populated, ethnically diverse district anchored by working families, small business owners, and long-established communities throughout central Orange County.

2. Meet the Candidates

The June 2 primary featured five candidates, led by sitting Representative Lou Correa, who has represented this district since 2017. Under California's top-two primary system, all candidates appeared on the same ballot regardless of party, and the top two vote-getters will advance to the November 3, 2026 general election — unless one candidate crosses the 50% threshold, in which case they win outright. Here is a brief overview of the field:

Sitting Representative Incumbent — Running for Re-Election

Lou Correa (Democrat)

Lou Correa is the incumbent U.S. Representative for California's 46th Congressional District and has served five terms in Congress, having first won the seat in 2016. His sustained tenure reflects the deep trust voters in central Orange County have placed in his leadership over more than a decade in Washington. A former California State Senator and Orange County Supervisor, Correa brings decades of public service experience to his role. His legislative priorities have focused on public safety, immigration reform, healthcare access, and economic opportunity for working families. As a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, he has been a prominent voice on border security and counterterrorism issues. As a well-established five-term incumbent, he is now seeking re-election to continue representing central Orange County.

David Pan (Republican)

David Pan is the leading Republican challenger in the race. His campaign has emphasized fiscal responsibility, public safety, and a renewed focus on economic competitiveness in central Orange County. As the second-highest vote-getter in the primary, he is positioned to advance to the November general election against Correa.

Christian Mendez (Democrat)

Christian Mendez ran as a Democrat in the primary, adding to the field of candidates seeking to represent the 46th District. His candidacy contributed to the breadth of voices in the primary contest.

Armando "Mando" Perez-Serrato (Democrat)

Armando "Mando" Perez-Serrato ran as a Democrat with a community-rooted campaign. His candidacy reflected grassroots engagement in central Orange County's diverse neighborhoods.

Frank Bahena (Democrat)

Frank Bahena also ran as a Democrat in the primary, rounding out a five-candidate field in the race for the 46th District seat.

Primary Results Snapshot — 46th District

The June 2 primary results have been tabulated by the Orange County Registrar of Voters. Here is where the race stands. Under California's top-two primary system, the two highest vote-getters advance to the November 3 general election — unless a candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, in which case they are elected outright.

Key Issues Across Both Districts

Whether your home falls in the 45th or 46th District, a consistent set of issues has emerged that matters to voters across northern and central Orange County. These are the topics shaping conversations at doorsteps, town halls, and community gatherings throughout Fullerton:

• Housing Costs & Affordability: With median home prices in Fullerton hovering well above $1 million, the cost of housing remains the most pressing kitchen-table issue for families across both districts. Voters are looking for concrete federal policy ideas, not just rhetoric, on housing supply and affordability.
• Healthcare Costs: Rising insurance premiums and prescription drug prices continue to affect district families. Candidates have proposed various approaches, from expanding coverage options to increasing market competition.
• Public Safety: Community safety, including the fentanyl crisis, property crime, and law enforcement resources, has been a defining topic across both races. Candidates with law enforcement or military backgrounds have made this a central pillar of their platforms.
• Economic Stability & Government Spending: Voters are closely watching inflation, job growth, and how federal tax dollars are allocated. Fiscal responsibility and efficient government spending are recurring themes across party lines.
• Immigration & Border Policy: Given both districts' large immigrant communities and proximity to national border policy debates, immigration remains a significant and deeply personal topic for many voters across the Fullerton area.

Election Timeline & What Comes Next

The primary election took place on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. In the 45th District, incumbent Derek Tran (Democrat) and Chuong Vo (Republican) have emerged as the top two finishers and will face each other in the November general election. In the 46th District, Lou Correa (Democrat) leads at 49.46% — just under the 50% threshold — with David Pan (Republican) holding the second advancing position. If Correa ultimately crosses 50% after all ballots are counted, he would win the seat outright; otherwise, he and Pan will also face off on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

How to Stay Engaged as a Fullerton Hills Resident

Whether your home falls in the 45th or 46th District, staying informed about both races ensures you understand the full congressional picture affecting your community. Here are practical steps to stay engaged:

Nonpartisan Disclosure: This article is published as a community information resource by Fullerton Hills Living. It does not endorse, support, or oppose any candidate or political party. The information presented is based on publicly available sources as of June 4, 2026 and is intended to help residents stay informed about their civic process. Readers are encouraged to verify all details independently through official election resources.