30 Facts About Derek Tran

Early Life and Family Background

Derek Tran's story begins with a rich tapestry of resilience and hope. His early life was shaped by his parents' incredible journey from Vietnam to the United States.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born in 1980 or 1981 in the United States, Derek Tran's life started amidst the backdrop of his parents' struggles as Vietnamese refugees fleeing the Communist regime in Vietnam.

2. Family Background: Tran's parents were among the Vietnamese Boat People. His father escaped Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975 but tragically lost his wife and children when their boat capsized. He later met Tran's mother, and together they immigrated to the United States.

3. Growing Up: Tran grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, where his family opened a corner store. He worked there every day after school, learning the value of hard work and sacrifice from his parents.

Military Service and Education

Tran's dedication to service and justice began early, leading him to join the military and later pursue a career in law.

4. Military Service: At 18, Tran enlisted in the United States Army. He served for eight years, including during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003, instilling in him a strong sense of patriotism and duty.

5. Law School: After his military service, Tran attended law school to uphold the liberties and individual rights his parents sought in America. He chose consumer rights and labor law over corporate law to fight for workers and consumers.

Legal Career and Achievements

Tran's legal career is marked by his commitment to justice and his numerous accolades.

6. Legal Career: Since 2014, Tran has worked as an attorney. In 2020, he started his own law firm, Tran Firm, in Huntington Beach, specializing in consumer rights, labor rights, and personal injury cases.

7. Professional Associations: Tran is a member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of America (CAALA) and the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC). He serves on several committees for both organizations and is the current Co-Vice Chair for CAALA’s Education Committee.

8. Awards and Recognition: Tran has been featured in the Daily Journal’s California top 100 jury verdict list. He has also been named to the list of Super Lawyer Rising Stars from 2019 to 2023, and in 2022 and 2023, he made the Super Lawyers Rising Star Top 100 and Top 25 in Orange County.

Personal Life and Community Service

Tran's personal life and community involvement reflect his deep commitment to making a positive impact.

9. Personal Life: Tran is married to Michelle, a pharmacist who grew up in Garden Grove. Together, they run a brick-and-mortar pharmacy in Orange County and have three children who attend public schools in the area.

10. Community Service: Tran and his wife mentor underprivileged children at a nearby school and have helped local businesses and restaurants during the pandemic by providing vaccinations and Covid-19 testing.

Political Career and Campaign

Tran's entry into politics is driven by his desire to serve his community and uphold democratic values.

11. Political Career: In 2023, Tran announced his candidacy for the U.S. Representative seat in California’s 45th congressional district. He secured the Democratic nomination in March 2024, beating Kim Nguyen-Penaloza by 366 votes.

12. Challenging Michelle Steel: Tran is challenging Republican incumbent Michelle Steel for the seat in the 2024 election. The district is considered a battleground, having been won by Joe Biden in 2020 but currently occupied by a Republican.

13. Vietnamese American Identity: Tran’s campaign emphasizes his Vietnamese American identity, significant given the district’s majority-minority demographics, including cities like Westminster and Garden Grove with predominantly Vietnamese American communities.

Political Positions and Endorsements

Tran's political positions and endorsements highlight his commitment to various social and economic issues.

14. Law Enforcement: Tran supports Proposition 36, aiming to reduce homelessness and drug addiction by providing rehabilitation and second chances to community members.

15. Economy: He advocates for a tax deduction on state and local taxes in California, reducing taxes, eliminating bureaucratic red tape, investing in U.S. manufacturing, combating price gouging, protecting labor rights, and making the minimum wage livable.

16. Social Services: Tran supports protecting Medicare and Social Security. He believes healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and aims to reduce prescription drug costs and expand coverage.

17. Supreme Court: Tran advocates for justices to put all relevant assets into blind trusts, be forbidden from accepting gifts, and be scrutinized for potentially partisan actions. He criticized Clarence Thomas’ behavior regarding gifts but does not support expanding the courts.

18. Artificial Intelligence: He supports federal-level regulations on artificial intelligence to minimize deepfakes, establish penalties for misuse, and clearly label generated content.

19. Foreign Policy: Tran declares support for America’s allies, specifically Ukraine and Israel, as well as promoting democracy and stability globally.

20. Age Limits: He has expressed interest in the possibility of age limits for presidential and Congressional candidates.

21. Campaign Endorsements: The Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has endorsed Tran. He has received endorsements from House of Representative leadership, including about 30 members of Congress, and the California legislature. Political advocacy organizations such as VoteVets PAC have also endorsed him.

Advocacy and Community Impact

Tran's advocacy work and community impact demonstrate his dedication to justice and service.

22. Women’s Rights: Tran is 100% pro-choice and will stand strong to protect funding for Planned Parenthood and access to critical women’s health services like birth control and cancer screenings.

23. Standing Up to Trump and MAGA: Tran will defend rights and values against Trump and his MAGA allies. He will fight back against extremists who want to cut Social Security and Medicare and take away women’s right to choose. He will work to strengthen voting rights for every American and defend free and fair elections.

24. Consumer Rights Attorney: As a consumer rights attorney, Tran has fought for survivors of sexual harassment and workers discriminated against by corporations. He believes in holding bad actors accountable and ensuring individuals, not special interests, get justice.

25. Small Business Owner: Tran is a proud small business owner of a neighborhood pharmacy. He sees firsthand the influence of big pharmaceutical companies and the impact their price gouging has on seniors and families in their community. He aims to reduce prescription drug costs and protect healthcare as a right.

26. Community Impact: Through his pharmacy, Tran and his wife have helped local businesses and restaurants during the pandemic by providing vaccinations and Covid-19 testing. This has allowed countless community members to work, see family, and stay healthy.

27. Personal Values: Tran instills the values of hard work, patriotism, and service in his children. These values were taught to him by his parents, who worked hard and sacrificed so that he could realize the American Dream.

Leadership and Future Plans

Tran's leadership roles and future plans reflect his vision for a better community and country.

28. Military Decorations: As a decorated veteran, Tran has served his country with honor. His military service has given him a unique perspective on public service and the importance of protecting individual rights and liberties.

29. Board Member: Tran serves on the board of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and Consumer Attorneys of California. He is involved in several committees for both organizations, contributing to their mission of protecting consumer rights.

30. Future Plans: If elected, Tran plans to focus on reducing prescription drug costs, expanding healthcare coverage, and protecting women’s rights. He also aims to strengthen voting rights and defend free and fair elections. His commitment to serving the community and upholding individual rights makes him a strong candidate for the U.S. Representative seat in California’s 45th congressional district.

Derek Tran: A True Advocate for Change

Derek Tran's journey from the son of Vietnamese refugees to a candidate for Congress is nothing short of inspiring. His background as a labor lawyer, veteran, and community leader showcases his dedication to serving others. Tran's commitment to consumer rights, labor rights, and healthcare reflects his deep-rooted values of hard work and patriotism. His campaign for the U.S. Representative seat in California’s 45th congressional district emphasizes his Vietnamese American identity, which resonates with the district's diverse population. Tran's focus on reducing prescription drug costs, expanding healthcare coverage, and protecting women’s rights highlights his priorities. With endorsements from key political figures and organizations, Tran is poised to bring a fresh perspective to Congress. His story is a testament to the American Dream and the power of perseverance. Derek Tran is not just a candidate; he’s a true advocate for change.