Michelle Steel’s 2020 victory over Rep. Harley Rouda in Orange County, CA was a gain for the effort to broaden Republican appeal. Born in South Korea and raised in Japan, Steel learned English as her third language after coming to America. Steel distinguished herself in elected state and local government posts prior to waging a successful RJC-backed campaign against J Street favorite Rouda. Recent redistricting puts Steel in the 45th district for this election cycle and CA-45 will be a critical 2022 battleground.