Poll: Rep. Michelle Steel leading trial lawyer Derek Tran

October 17, 2024

Representative Michelle Steel leads trial lawyer Derek Tran by four points in a new poll, demonstrating the overriding strength of Representative Steel’s brand in the 45th district.

Trial lawyer Derek Tran has faced one scandal after another — including investigations into his work representing an accused rapist for profitrepresenting a man who hung a noose in his officelying about fluently speaking Vietnamese and lying about his military record.

The poll found:

  • Representative Michelle Steel leads Derek Tran 45 percent to 41 percent, with eight percent undecided.
  • Representative Steel is significantly over-performing President Trump as he is trailing Harris 41 percent to 45 percent in this district.
  • Even after millions of dollars in false attack ads against her, Representative Steel still has a net favorable rating.
  • Representative Steel’s favorable to unfavorable ratio is 42 percent to 36 percent, compared to 33 percent to 27 percent for Tran.
  • Similarly, a plurality of voters approve of the job Representative Steel is doing (43 percent approve, 34 percent disapprove).

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Rachel Bade and Eugene Daniels

A new internal poll for the NRCC and Rep. MICHELLE STEEL’s (R-Calif.) campaign finds her leading Democrat DEREK TRAN, 45 percent to 41 percent. She has the lead, and a net favorable rating, despite Harris leading Trump by 4 points in the district. The American Viewpoint survey of 400 voters has a margin of error of 4.9 percent.

Read more here.