LOS ANGELES -- Democrat Derek Tran ousted Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California House district Wednesday that was specifically drawn to give Asian Americans a stronger voice on Capitol Hill. Steel said in a statement that “like all journeys, this one is ending for a new one to begin.” When she captured the seat in 2020, Steel joined Washington state Democrat Marilyn Strickland and California Republican Young Kim as the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. Tran, a lawyer and worker rights advocate and the son of Vietnamese refugees, declared victory earlier this week. He said his win “is a testament to the spirit and resilience of our community. As the son of Vietnamese refugees, I understand firsthand the journey and sacrifices many families in our district have made for a better life." The contest is one of the last to be decided this year, with Republicans now holding 220 seats in the House, with Democrats at 214. The Associated Press has not declared a winner in California's 13th District, where Democrat Adam Gray was leading Republican Rep. John Duarte by a couple of hundred votes. Steel held an early edge after Election Day, but late-counted ballots pushed Tran over the top. Steel filed a statement of candidacy on Monday with federal regulators, which would allow her to continue raising funds. It wasn’t immediately clear if she planned to seek a return to Congress. In the campaign, Tran warned of Republican threats to abortion rights. Steel opposes abortion with exceptions for rape, incest or to save the life of the pregnant woman, while not going so far as to support a federal ban. Tran also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House would put democracy at risk. On Capitol Hill, Steel has been outspoken in resisting tax increases and says she stands strongly with Israel in its war with Hamas. “As our greatest ally in the Middle East, the United States must always stand with Israel,” she said. She advocates for more police funding and has spotlighted her efforts on domestic violence and sexual abuse. The largest demographic in the district, which is anchored in Orange County southeast of Los Angeles, is Asian Americans, and it includes the nation’s biggest Vietnamese community. Democrats hold a 4-point registration edge. Incomplete returns showed that Steel was winning in Orange County, the bulk of the district. Tran’s winning margin came from a small slice of the district in Los Angeles County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1.NC Condemns 'Flood Of Petitions' Calling For Surveys Of Mosques, Muslim Shrinesjili no 1 。

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The National Urban League , a prominent civil rights organization, is speaking out against Walmart's recent move to discontinue its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Marc Morial, the group's CEO and president, expressed his disappointment in Walmart , who had previously been a partner of theirs, stating on CBS Mornings that he is "dismayed by this decision." Morial told CBS: "I think what they did is succumb to a smear campaign, to threats, to bullying, and to blackmail by a handful of extremists." Walmart 's drastic reversal of its diversity policies signals a significant shift in U.S. companies as they reassess the legal and political risks tied to ambitious programs to support historically marginalized groups. JonBenét Ramsey's father says advances in DNA technology can help solve daughter's cold case murder Georgia cult mom who thought she breastfed 'evil' into baby stabbed 13-month-old daughter to death The world's largest retailer announced these changes on Monday, following a series of legal wins by conservative groups that have launched a barrage of lawsuits against corporate and federal initiatives designed to uplift minority and women-owned businesses and employees. This retreat from such programs became evident with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is set to prioritize dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Trump's incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller, who heads a group named America First Legal that has actively contested corporate DEI policies. Morial further mentioned that he has reached out to Walmart leaders to discuss the changes in an attempt to comprehend the rationale behind the decision before the National Urban League and other civil rights community members take their own responsive measures. John Furner, the CEO and President of Walmart U.S. said that the company's rollbacks are aimed at ensuring everyone feels they "belong." "Like many companies all across the U.S., we’ve been on a journey," Furner said. "We’ll continue to be on a journey. And what we’re trying to do is to ensure every customer, every associate feels welcomed here in the shop and to feel like they belong." However, Morial criticized the corporation for making the changes without consulting stakeholders including the National Urban League, which has been a partner of the superstore for two decades. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter. "They went from worst to first class when it comes to diversity," Morial said. "The idea that they would throw all of that away without any careful consultation with their partners, without any real serious evaluation of the success of these programs, is what dismays me." Among other changes, Walmart announced it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index. "One value of this nation is equal opportunity," Morial said. "That’s all equity, diversity and inclusion is about. It’s about creating a level playing field for all." He mentioned that DEI has been "smeared" by a "hate mob." "Diversity, equity and inclusion were a set of terms designed to create a positive, if you will, image and a positive conversation about an America for all, an America that is open to all," he claimed. "DEI does not favor, it opens doors that have historically been closed," Morial further explained.

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