Tan Nguyen is running against Van Tran in the 47th C.D. GOP primary

Tan Nguyen and Van Tran used to be homies!

Well, businessman and former U.S. Marine Quang Pham decided not to run this year for the 47th Congressional District, but guess who did turn in his papers today and qualified for the ballot?  None other than Tan Nguyen, the Republican who got him a world of hurt back in 2006, when he sent a letter to Latino voters asking them not to vote.  Nguyen lost to Loretta Sanchez, the incumbent, by a landslide.

When Nguyen first announced his interest in running again this year, few local pundits figured he was serious.  Many of us assumed that Van Tran put him up to this, in order to scare Pham out of the race. 

My pajaritos report that Tran and his acolytes, the Trannies, were completely shocked this afternoon when Nguyen showed up to the Voter Registrar’s office, in Santa Ana, and turned in his papers.

Katherine Smith and Quang Pham at her home, Sunday March 7.  Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

This is not good news for Tran.  He is already facing stiff competition from Anaheim Union High School District Trustee Katherine Smith, who recently met with Quang Pham.  Now Tran faces the dreaded vote split as well.  Nguyen may take away enough votes from Tran to hand the primary victory to Smith!

Do the numbers trend in Tran’s favor?

Well, when you look at the voter demographics in the 47th Congressional District, the news isn’t good for Tran at all.  Consider that 65% of the voters in the district are Latino.  Only 13.9% are Asian.  And 17.8% are white.  If Nguyen takes away enough votes from Tran, he will be toast!  Smith can win with just the white vote.  And Latinos will not vote for Tran. 

How about Smith?  In 2008 she was the top vote-getter in the Anaheim Union High School District Trustee election, according to Smart Voter.    She got over 42,000 votes without breaking a sweat. 

Even if Tran somehow wins the primary, he will be beat like a drum in the general.  In 2006, Tan Nguyen got 37% of the vote.  The rest went to Loretta Sanchez.  Tran is marginally more well known than Nguyen, but his negatives are sky high!

If Tran loses the primary to Smith, he will be done in politics…

Art Pedroza Editor
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.
Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

View Comments

  • How can I not be sick thinking of the money low life Tran has shamelessly accepted from the state. What a slimy worm. I say good riddance. Which will also be good riddance to Jung Kim.

  • I recognized your disdain for Van Tran, but c'mon, let's at least be somewhat objective in your analysis. Van Tran, losing to Kathy Smith? Hah! Losing to Loretta, yeah, but Kathy Smith? LoL.

  • Im Voting for Cecilia Iglesias who is Christian and has High Moral Values. She will be Fighting for her community and for everybodys rights!! Many Blessings!!

  • Just signed a petition to put Gary "Jet" Schank on the ballot.
    I'm getting tired of "career politicians". Most seem to only have their personal interests at heart. And the 2-party system is failing the people time and time again.

Recent Posts

Tilly’s Life Center raised over $500K to support youth programs, at their annual O.C. gala

Tilly’s Life Center’s (TLC) recently raised over half a million dollars to support their youth…

5 hours ago

A small plan crashed near the Fullerton Airport this afternoon

On November 25, 2024, at approximately 1:46 PM, Fullerton Fire and Police personnel responded to…

5 hours ago

Firefighters had to extricate victims from two car crashes in Garden Grove last Friday

OCFA fire crews responded to two significant vehicle accidents in Garden Grove last Friday, requiring…

10 hours ago

An SUV was totally wrecked after hitting two light poles and a tree in Newport Beach

On November 24th, 2024, at approximately 1:00 a.m. Newport Beach Fire Department units NE63, NT63,…

13 hours ago

The SAPD arrested a man suspected in an armed robbery at a gas station

‼️UPDATE‼️ Earlier today, our robbery detectives arrested November 20, 2024, #WantedWednesday suspect Izaya Cuellar (35)…

1 day ago

Driver arrested for destroying the lawn of a Costa Mesa park while doing donuts with his vehicle

Late Friday night, police officers responded to Balearic Park regarding a vehicle doing “donuts” on…

1 day ago

This website uses cookies.