Michelle Steel

Last updated

Shawn Steel
​
(m. 1981)​
Michelle Steel
Congresswoman Michelle Steel.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from California
In office
January 3, 2021 –January 3, 2025
Children2
Education Pepperdine University (BA)
University of Southern California (MBA)
Korean name
Hangul
박은주 [1]
Hanja
朴銀珠
Revised Romanization Bak Eunju
McCune–Reischauer Pak Ŭnju
Steel's voice
Steel commemorating the 35th anniversary of Little Saigon, Orange County
Recorded June 6, 2023

Michelle Eunjoo Steel ( née Park, born June 21, 1955) [2] is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for California's 45th congressional district from 2023 to 2025, previously representing the 48th congressional district from 2021 to 2023. [3] A member of the Republican Party, she concurrently served as a member of House Minority Whip Steve Scalise's Whip Team for the 117th Congress. [4] Steel ran for re-election to a third term in 2024, but she was defeated in the general election by Democratic challenger Derek Tran. [5]

Contents

Steel served as the member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors from the 2nd district from 2015 to 2021 and of the California State Board of Equalization from the 3rd district from 2007 to 2015. [6] [7] [2] Steel, fellow California Republican Young Kim and Democrat Marilyn Strickland of Washington are the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress.

Early life and education

Steel was born in Seoul, South Korea. [2] Her father was born in Shanghai to Korean expatriate parents. Steel was educated in South Korea, Japan, and the United States. She holds a degree in business from Pepperdine University and an MBA from the University of Southern California. She can speak Korean, Japanese, and English. [7]

California politics

Steel has been active in Republican Party politics and served on various commissions in the George W. Bush administration. [8]

California State Board of Equalization

Steel was elected to the California State Board of Equalization in 2006 when Republican incumbent Claude Parrish ran unsuccessfully for state Treasurer. Throughout her tenure, she served as the country's highest-ranking Korean American officeholder, and California's highest-ranking Republican woman. [6] She represented more than eight million people in the 3rd district, which then included all of Imperial, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties and parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.[ citation needed ] In 2011, she was elected vice chair of the Board of Equalization. [9]

Orange County Board of Supervisors

Steel during her tenure as Orange County Supervisor in 2014. Michelle-steel.jpg
Steel during her tenure as Orange County Supervisor in 2014.

In 2014, Steel was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors representing the 2nd district, defeating state Assemblyman Allan Mansoor. [10]

In March 2018, Steel was the only elected official to greet President Donald Trump when he landed at LAX on his first official visit to California as president. [11] In 2019, Trump appointed her to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. [12]

Steel chaired the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2017 and again in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she opposed mandatory face masks in Orange County. [13] [14] She voted against requiring face coverings for retail employees [15] and opposed mask mandates in public schools. She questioned masks' efficacy in preventing the virus spread. [16]

On September 15, 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved plans that could lead to increased private jet traffic at John Wayne Airport. Steel was criticized by her Democratic opponent, Harley Rouda, for taking campaign contributions from ACI Jet, the corporation that was awarded the contract. [17] [18]

Steel and her husband Shawn supported the 2020–21 recall initiative against California Governor Gavin Newsom [19] and endorsed Larry Elder to replace him. [20]

In 2024, Steel was criticized for her management of $1.2 million allocated for food aid during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. With funds from the federal government Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, each Supervisor contracted to provide meals for needy senior citizens in their district. Steel awarded the contract to a marketing company she was using for her campaign, a company that reportedly had no prior experience with this type of government funding. An audit revealed that the meals had been considerably more costly than in other Orange County districts. [21]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020

In 2020, Steel ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 48th congressional district. [22] She received 34.9% of the vote to advance from the primary and defeated incumbent Democrat Harley Rouda in the November 3 general election with 51.1% of the vote. [23] Steel raised $200,000 more than Rouda. [24]

During her campaign, Steel spoke out against COVID-19 mask mandates. [14] Her platform included opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and the creation of a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. [14] [25] A conservative, she aligned herself with President Donald Trump. [26]

2022

On December 23, 2021, Steel announced that she would run in California's 45th congressional district in 2022 due to redistricting. She was endorsed by Kevin McCarthy, Young Kim, Ken Calvert, Mimi Walters, Andrew Do, and the Republican Party of Orange County. [27]

During the campaign, Steel faced protests over her campaign ads aiming to portray her Democratic rival, Naval reserve officer and Taiwanese-American Jay Chen, as a Chinese Communist Party sympathizer. [28]

Steel defeated Democratic nominee Jay Chen in the November 8, 2022, general election. [29]

2024

Steel ran for reelection in the district in 2024. [30] During the campaign, Steel sought to characterize her Democratic opponent Derek Tran as a communist sympathizer by sending mailers of Tran alongside Mao Zedong and a hammer and sickle. [31] [32] [33] Tran is a second-generation Vietnamese-American. During the campaign, Steel, who is Korean-born, said "I am more Vietnamese than my opponent." [31]

Tran defeated Steel in the November 5, 2024, general election. [34]

Tenure

2021 portrait of Steel during the 117th United States Congress. Michelle Steel, 117th Congress.jpg
2021 portrait of Steel during the 117th United States Congress.

Along with several other Republican U.S. House freshmen, Steel was a member of the Freedom Force, an informal group styled as a Republican counterpart to the Democratic group The Squad. [35]

Steel tested positive for COVID-19 in January 2021. [36] She referenced her own mild symptoms from her bout with COVID to advocate for opening up schools and businesses. [37]

Steel did not vote on the certification of Joe Biden's Electoral College victory. [38] She voted against the second impeachment of Donald Trump on January 13, 2021. [39]

In early February 2021, Steel called for the reopening of schools in California. [40] [41] [42]

On February 25, 2021, Steel voted against the Equality Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation by amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act to explicitly include new protections. [43]

On February 27, 2021, Steel voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief and stimulus bill. [44] [45]

In March 2021, Steel introduced a bill that would block federal funding from being used to support California's high-speed rail project, which she called a "failure." [46]

In June 2021, Steel was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the AUMF against Iraq. [47]

In 2021, Steel joined a majority of Republican representatives in signing onto an amicus brief to overturn Roe v. Wade . [48]

In July 2022, Steel voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, which would require the U.S. federal government to recognize the validity of same-sex marriages. [49] [50]

As of December 2022, Steel had voted in line with President Joe Biden's stated position 21% of the time. [51]

In September 2023, Steel was among a bipartisan group of eight U.S. House members who co-sponsored a mental health focused bill aimed at integrating behavioral health services for Medicare beneficiaries in primary care settings. [52]

Steel was a co-sponsor of the Life at Conception Act introduced in January 2023 during the 118th Congress. [53] After a 2024 Alabama court ruling made clear that the bill's language could endanger the ability to administer in-vitro fertilization, Steel said "I do not support federal restrictions on IVF." She added further, "As someone who struggled to get pregnant, I believe all life is a gift. IVF allowed me, as it has so many others, to start my family. I believe there is nothing more pro-life than helping families have children." [53] In March 2024, Steel rescinded her co-sponsorship of the bill due to her support for IVF. [54]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress: [55]

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Steel with her husband, former California Republican Party Chair Shawn Steel, in 2018. Shawn and Michelle Steel.jpg
Steel with her husband, former California Republican Party Chair Shawn Steel, in 2018.

In 1981, Steel married Shawn Steel, who became California Republican Party chairman from 2001 to 2003 and Republican National Committeeman from California since 2008. They have two daughters and live in Seal Beach, California. [58] She is a Christian. [59]

At a 2014 Tea Party event in Newport Beach, Steel said she had withdrawn her younger daughter from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and sent her to Loyola Marymount University for a one-year "brainwash" after her daughter voiced support for same-sex marriage and President Barack Obama. [60] [61] [62]

Electoral history

2024 United States House of Representatives elections in California [63] [64]
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michelle Steel (incumbent)78,02254.9
Democratic Derek Tran 22,54615.9
Democratic Kim Bernice Nguyen-Penaloza22,17915.6
Democratic Cheyenne Hunt11,9738.4
Democratic Aditya Pai7,3995.2
Total votes142,119 100.0
General election
Democratic Derek Tran 158,264 50.1
Republican Michelle Steel (incumbent)157,61149.9
Total votes315,875 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican
2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California [65]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michelle Steel (incumbent) 113,163 52.4
Democratic Jay Chen102,80247.6
Total votes215,965 100
Republican hold
2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California [66]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michelle Steel 201,738 51.1
Democratic Harley Rouda (incumbent)193,36248.9
Total votes395,100 100
Republican gain from Democratic
Orange County Board of Supervisors 2nd district, 2018 [67]
CandidateVotes %
Michelle Steel (incumbent)80,85463.4
Brendon Perkins31,38724.6
Michael Mahony15,28112.0
Total votes127,522 100.0
Orange County Board of Supervisors 2nd district, 2014 [68]
CandidateVotes %
Michelle Steel62.5
Allan Mansoor (incumbent)37.5
Total votes100.0
2010 State Board of Equalization District 3 election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michelle Steel (incumbent) 1,325,538 54.9
Democratic Mary Christian Heising836,05734.6
Libertarian Jerry L. Dixon117,7834.8
Peace and Freedom Mary Lou Finley79,8703.3
American Independent Terri Lussenheide59,5132.4
Total votes2,418,761 100.0
Republican hold
2006 State Board of Equalization District 3 election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michelle Steel 1,147,514 56.99
Democratic Mary Christian-Heising774,49938.47
Peace and Freedom Mary Finley91,4674.54
Total votes2,013,480 100.00
Republican hold

See also

References

  1. ↑ '영옥씨' 영 김 후보도 당선…한국계 4명 미 의회 입성 (... Four Korean-Americans Enter U.S. Congress). The Korea Times (in Korean). November 13, 2020. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Michelle Steel, JoinCalifornia.com, archived from the original on December 28, 2010, retrieved September 29, 2011
  3. ↑ "Rep. Harley Rouda Concedes to Republican Challenger in 48th District Congressional District Race". NBC Los Angeles. November 10, 2020. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  4. ↑ @RepSteel (February 2, 2021). "Today I joined @SteveScalise on our first Whip Team call of the 117th Congress! I am so honored to join this team and am ready to get to work supporting policies that help #CA48 families & businesses thrive" (Tweet). Retrieved February 2, 2021– via Twitter.
  5. ↑ Nelson, Laura J. (November 27, 2024). "Democrat Derek Tran ousts Republican Michelle Steel in competitive Orange County House race". Los Angeles Times.
  6. 1 2 Steel, Michelle Park. "Board Member Michelle Steel". California State Board of Equalization. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2007.
  7. 1 2 "亞裔支持朴銀珠選稅委" [Asian Americans support Park's election to tax board]. August 23, 2006. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved February 20, 2007.
  8. ↑ Hall, Madison; Panetta, Grace; Neilson, Susie (November 10, 2020). "Results: Republican Michelle Steel defeats first-term Rep. Harley Rouda in California's 48th Congressional District". Business Insider. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  9. ↑ Arie Dana (January 26, 2011). "Michelle Steel Named Vice Chair of the State Board of Equalization" (PDF). California Board of Equalization. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 8, 2011.
  10. ↑ Shine, Nicole (November 5, 2014). "Two new faces join Board of Supervisors". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  11. ↑ Gerda, Nick (March 15, 2018). "OC Supervisor Michelle Steel Welcomed President Trump at LAX". Voice of OC. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Trump names Michelle Park Steel co-chair of president's advisory commission on AAPIs". The Rafu Shimpo. February 3, 2019. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Californians must wear face masks in public under coronavirus order issued by Newsom". Los Angeles Times. June 18, 2020. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  14. 1 2 3 Green, Miranda (October 21, 2020). "The Mask Backlash That Could Oust a Democratic Congressman". Intelligencer. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  15. ↑ "OC Supervisors Vote To Require Face Coverings For Many Retail Employees". MyNewsLA.com. April 22, 2020. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  16. ↑ Custodio, Spencer (May 26, 2020). "Orange County Public Health Officials Under Fire Over Mask Order". Voice of OC. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  17. ↑ Brandon Pho (September 15, 2020). "Private Jet Plan for John Wayne Airport Sparks Resident Concern and Corruption Allegations". Voice of OC. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  18. ↑ Siebenmark, Jerry. "With New SNA Lease in Hand, ACI Plans $85M Project". Aviation International News. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  19. ↑ Lara Korte; David Lightman (April 22, 2021). "Some of the biggest names in the California GOP are staying quiet on recalling Gavin Newsom". Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  20. ↑ D'Urso, William (August 17, 2021). "Orange County GOP chair endorses Larry Elder for governor". spectrumnews1.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  21. ↑ Gerda, Nick; Huang, Josie (November 1, 2024). "As an OC supervisor, Michelle Steel awarded a $1.2M pandemic meals contract to her campaign mail printer". LAist . Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  22. ↑ "O.C. Supervisor Michelle Steel to challenge Rep. Harley Rouda in 2020 election". Associated Press. May 3, 2019. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Michelle Steel". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  24. ↑ Denkmann, Libby. Four Lessons From The Southern California House Seats Republicans Reclaimed In 2020 Archived December 4, 2020, at the Wayback Machine , KPCC, 89.3 FM, Southern California Public Radio , Pasadena, California, December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Race Heating Up For California's 48th District Seat As Rouda, Steel Face Off". September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  26. ↑ "California Republican leaders go all in on Trump's election subterfuge, but some are more vocal than others". Los Angeles Times. November 20, 2020. Archived from the original on November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Rep. Michelle Steel to Run in California's New 45th Congressional District". Orange County Breeze. December 23, 2021. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  28. ↑ "California congresswoman faces accusations of 'McCarthyism' from AAPI groups over campaign ads". Los Angeles Times. October 28, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  29. ↑ Blood, Michael. California wins leave GOP poised to seize US House control Archived November 15, 2022, at the Wayback Machine , Associated Press, November 11, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Michelle Steel Statement of Candidacy" (PDF). Federal Election Commission . December 6, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  31. 1 2 "In Orange County, a Key House Race Could Come Down to Little Saigon Voters". New York Times. 2024.
  32. ↑ "Accusations of red-baiting in OC congressional race between Michelle Steel and Derek Tran". ABC7 Los Angeles. October 30, 2024.
  33. ↑ "'Red-baiting' accusations fly between congressional campaigns in competitive Orange County race". Los Angeles Times. October 22, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Democrat Derek Tran defeats GOP Rep. Michelle Steel in Southern California swing House district". AP News. November 27, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  35. ↑ Noor, Poppy (November 30, 2020). "The 'Freedom Force': Republican group takes on the Squad and 'evil' socialism". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  36. ↑ Ke, Bryan (January 8, 2021). "California Congresswoman Who Once Questioned Mask-Wearing Catches COVID-19". NextShark. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021– via news.yahoo.com.
  37. ↑ "Surfside Rep. Michelle Steel Scolded For COVID Joke By Political Opponent Harley Rouda". CBS Los Angeles. January 28, 2021. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  38. ↑ Nixon, Nicole (January 7, 2021). "Here's How California Representatives Voted On Certifying Biden's Election, And Who Is Calling For Trump's Removal". Sacramento, Calif.: Capital Public Radio. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  39. ↑ Cai, Weiyi; Daniel, Annie; Gamio, Lazaro; Parlapiano, Alicia (January 13, 2021). "Impeachment Results: How Democrats and Republicans Voted". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  40. ↑ Staggs, Brooke (February 9, 2021). "Here's what local House members are doing, so far, in the legislative fight against COVID-19". Orange County Register. Anaheim, Calif. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  41. ↑ @RepSteel (February 10, 2021). "How it started vs. How it's going: #opentheschools" (Tweet). Retrieved February 11, 2021– via Twitter.
  42. ↑ @RepSteel (February 11, 2021). "The science is clear: there is little evidence schools contribute meaningfully to increased community transmission of #COVID19. I joined over 60 of my @HouseGOP colleagues in a letter to @POTUS urging him to follow the science & #opentheschools. It's time to put our kids first" (Tweet). Retrieved February 11, 2021– via Twitter.
  43. ↑ "Here's every Republican who voted against the Equality Act". Metro Weekly. February 25, 2021. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Rep. Steel: "Relief should be targeted, temporary and tied to COVID"" (Press release). Washington, DC: Cong. Michelle Steele. March 1, 2021. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  45. ↑ Staggs, Brooke (March 28, 2021). "Young Kim and Michelle Steel carve out different paths in Congress". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  46. ↑ "Orange County Republicans take aim at California's bullet train". Orange County Register. March 1, 2021. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Repeal the 2001, 2002 authorizations for use of military force". Los Angeles Daily News. June 19, 2021. Archived from the original on June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  48. ↑ "No. 19-1392" (PDF). US Senate. 2021. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  49. ↑ "These Are the 157 House of Representatives Members Who Voted Against Protecting Marriage Equality". Katie Couric Media. July 20, 2022. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  50. ↑ "H.R. 8404: Respect for Marriage Act -- House Vote #373 -- Jul 19, 2022". GovTrack.us. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  51. ↑ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  52. ↑ Knight, Victoria (September 26, 2023). "First look: Bipartisan behavioral health access bill". Axios. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  53. 1 2 Raman, Sandhya (February 23, 2024). "Alabama IVF ruling spurs a GOP reckoning on conception bills". Roll Call . Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  54. ↑ Kapur, Sahil; Kaplan, Rebecca (March 7, 2024). "GOP Rep. Michelle Steel rescinds her co-sponsorship of the Life at Conception Act after winning her primary". NBC News. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Michelle Steel". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Conservative Climate Caucus". Congressman Curtis. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  57. ↑ "Homepage of Republican Governance Group". Republican Governance Group. December 14, 2019. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  58. ↑ Steel, Michelle Park. "Vice Chair Michelle Steel". California State Board of Equalization. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  59. ↑ Steel, Michelle Park. "Michelle Steel - House Candidate - California 48th District". Susan B. Anthony List. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  60. ↑ "California GOP congressional candidate claimed she withdrew her daughter from college for supporting gay marriage". Metro Weekly. July 8, 2020. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  61. ↑ "Republican congressional candidate bragged about pulling daughter out of university for 'brainwashing' after she supported equal marriage". PinkNews. July 7, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  62. ↑ Michelle Steel: On Gay Marriage, October 5, 2020, retrieved August 29, 2022
  63. ↑ "Statement of Vote" (PDF). sos.ca.gov. Sacramento: Secretary of State of California. 2024. p. 89. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  64. ↑ "Statement of Vote" (PDF). sos.ca.gov. Sacramento: Secretary of State of California. 2024. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  65. ↑ "California Election Results: 45th Congressional District". The New York Times . November 8, 2022. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  66. ↑ "California Election Results: 48th Congressional District". The New York Times . November 3, 2020. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  67. ↑ "Orange County Statewide Direct Primary Election June 5, 2018". Orange County Elections. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  68. ↑ "Two New Faces join Board of Supervisors". Orange County Elections. November 5, 2014. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.

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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 48th congressional district
2021–2023		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 45th congressional district
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