An American Origin Story
Derek Tran’s story begins before his birth, with his parents' flight from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975. His father was among the “boat people” who made a desperate attempt to escape the new communist regime. That first journey ended in tragedy when the boat capsized, and his father’s first wife and children were lost. After returning to Vietnam, he met Tran’s mother, and together they made another successful attempt, eventually landing in a refugee camp before immigrating to the United States in the early 1980s. Born in Los Angeles County, Tran grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. His family ran a small corner market, where he worked after school. His parents' experience and his family's reliance on government assistance programs in their
early years instilled in him a desire to serve the country that gave them refuge.
From Enlistment to Law School
At 18, Tran enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, a decision he made to give back to his country. He served for eight years, including time at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, and was activated under Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom before receiving an honorable discharge. Following his military service, Tran pursued higher education, earning a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and a Juris Doctor from Glendale University College of Law. His professional life took a turn away from potential corporate law jobs. Instead, he chose to focus on consumer protection and workers' rights, establishing his own law firm in Orange County. His legal work centered on representing individuals, including immigrants and survivors of harassment, against larger entities.
The Leap into Politics
Tran’s legal career and civic involvement, which included serving as a traffic commissioner for the city of Orange, set the stage for his entry into politics. A Democrat, he launched a campaign for California’s 45th Congressional District, a competitive seat in Orange County. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2024 election, becoming the first Vietnamese American to represent California in Congress. In addition to his political and legal careers, Tran is a small business owner. He and his wife, Michelle, a pharmacist, co-own a pharmacy in Anaheim. This experience, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided him with a firsthand look at the challenges facing small businesses and families dealing with healthcare costs.
First Term in Washington
Since assuming office on January 3, 2025, Tran has been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee and the House Small Business Committee. His legislative priorities often reflect his background. He has co-led the Democratic Party's National Security Task Force, focusing on challenges posed by China and Russia. He also co-introduced a bill aimed at prohibiting members of Congress from trading individual stocks. His personal history as the son of refugees from a communist regime heavily informs his stance on foreign policy, particularly regarding China. As he faces a re-election campaign in 2026, his record and unique biography are central to his political identity in one of California's key battleground districts.
