Derek Tran, a Democratic candidate for California's 45th Congressional District, has admitted that he is not fluent in Vietnamese, contradicting his previous claims.
This admission came just one day after The New York Post exposed his embellishments regarding his language skills. Tran, an employment attorney and first-generation Vietnamese American, acknowledged to the Los Angeles Times that he speaks only "broken Vietnamese" and requires a translator for campaign messaging.
The revelation has raised questions about Tran's campaign strategy, particularly in a district where Vietnamese is the third-most common household language. The 45th District, which has a significant Asian population, sees about 7% of constituents voting using Vietnamese-language ballots. Tran's admission comes at a crucial time as he challenges incumbent Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in a race considered key for control of the House.
Tran had previously boasted about being "the only candidate that speaks fluent Vietnamese" in the race. However, The New York Post revealed that he had been using an interpreter for Vietnamese-language interviews and even during campaign events.
This discrepancy became apparent when Tran was observed inserting English words and phrases into his Vietnamese statements when he was unable to find the appropriate Vietnamese equivalents.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) had also promoted Tran as a fluent Vietnamese speaker. A DCCC spokesperson described him as "the pride and joy of Little Saigon," a Vietnamese enclave in Orange County. When confronted with the language proficiency issue, the spokesperson defended Tran, characterizing the scrutiny as "bad faith attacks on the cultural heritage of the son of Vietnamese refugees."
Tran explained to the Los Angeles Times that while he once had fluency as a child of refugees, his current Vietnamese skills are limited. He said, "I don't want any of my messaging to get lost."
The language proficiency issue could potentially affect Tran's outreach to Vietnamese-American voters, a crucial demographic in the 45th District. The candidate's campaign website specifically mentions Vietnamese voters as a priority, noting their concentration in the cities of Garden Grove and Westminster. The campaign also identifies "Vietnamese women under the age of 45 who speak English" as a key target audience.
Despite the controversy, Tran remains optimistic about his ability to appeal to a diverse voter base. He told the Los Angeles Times:
There's going to be MAGA, far-right Vietnamese Republicans that, you know, we're not going to change their mind. But I have Trump supporters who are going to vote down-ballot Democrat for me.
Tran's campaign has also emphasized his background as a small business owner and his service in the U.S. Army to appeal to Republican-leaning constituents.
The 45th District race is considered highly competitive, with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rating it as "lean Republican" despite the district's slight Democratic lean in the Partisan Voting Index. Both Tran and his opponent, Rep. Michelle Steel, have incorporated Vietnamese language messaging into their campaigns to connect with the district's significant Vietnamese-American population.
Tran's admission of limited Vietnamese proficiency may impact voter perceptions, especially given the importance of language and cultural connection in the district. However, the full extent of this revelation's impact on the race remains to be seen as the campaign progresses towards the November 5 election.
In conclusion, Derek Tran's admission of limited Vietnamese proficiency has added a new dimension to the race for California's 45th Congressional District. The controversy highlights the importance of language skills and cultural authenticity in diverse districts. As the campaign continues, voters will weigh this issue alongside other factors in deciding their representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
