Former Los Angeles County Cerritos City Mayor Chuong Vo visited Orange County and met with community residents on Saturday, May 2nd. He is running for the 45th Congressional District, which spans across both Los Angeles and Orange County. Some residents at the event told reporters that upon their first meeting with Vo, they found him to be composed and calm in his speech.
Vo spoke at a community event in Liberty Park in Westminster, stating that when he ran for Cerritos City Council in 2020, the local Chinese community gave him his Chinese name, while his Vietnamese name signifies both literary and martial arts.
Having previously served as a police officer with 28 years of law enforcement experience, including holding a position in the city government for 5 years, Vo was elected as mayor in 2022 and served until his retirement in 2025.
Within the Vietnamese community, Vo is known for his physical strength and has served as a martial arts instructor at the police department, teaching combat skills and arrest control techniques. He stated, “If elected, I will propose to carry out missions in a safe, legal, and appropriate manner, ensuring the safety of both officers and those being enforced upon.”
Reflecting on his family background, Vo mentioned that during the fall of Saigon in 1975, just days before the city fell, he had just turned one year old. His parents carried their children on a boat to escape, despite concerns that he, as a baby, might cry and expose their whereabouts. However, his mother insisted on bringing him along, a decision he is grateful for to this day.
Growing up as a child in America, English naturally integrated into his life, while Vietnamese required deliberate learning as his parents spoke Vietnamese at home. Around 15 years ago during a trip to Vietnam, Vo faced a delay at immigration, despite his accompanying white and Korean friends passing through smoothly. Vo recalled the incident where officials questioned him in Vietnamese and detailed his progress in language learning and culinary experiences after the trip.
During his campaign for city council, Vo received more than 5,300 votes than his opponents. Amid the pandemic when social activities came to a halt, he initiated a Santa Float parade, funded by the police association rather than using public funds.
Vo was inspired by the long-standing Santa Float parade in Torrance, a tradition of over fifty years. He shortened the 30-day parade to 6 days, ensuring continuous movement throughout the city’s streets to bring Christmas joy to residents.
Residents inquired about any extensive meetings or challenging issues during his tenure as mayor. Vo emphasized his hands-on approach in leading fast-paced and efficient meetings and resolving legal issues promptly using parliamentary rules and legislation.
Vo stressed the importance of listening carefully and taking notes during resident meetings, emphasizing the residents’ right to speak and express themselves. He underlined the significance of respect and mutual understanding even in the presence of differing opinions.
Vo advocates for reducing government spending and vehemently opposes tax increases, criticizing inefficient budget allocations within government departments. He focuses on safety, affordability, and government accountability as crucial aspects of his congressional work.
In terms of accountability, Vo expressed readiness to engage in constructive dialogues and address concerns regardless of differing viewpoints. He promised to be accessible to district residents, providing his phone number on business cards for prompt communication and response.
The 45th Congressional District, encompassing Orange County and Los Angeles County, represents a swing district following last year’s California legislative redistricting. With an irregular “C” shape, the district added three more cities in Los Angeles County.
Six candidates are vying for the congressional seat, with five Republicans challenging the incumbent Democratic candidate Derek Tran. Of the six candidates, five have Vietnamese heritage.
Vo has garnered support from mayors of various cities within the district, including Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, La Palma, Norwalk, Seal Beach, and Stanton. He has also received endorsements from several state, county, and city officials and Republican organizations.
During the 2024 election, former Congresswoman Park Yeon-joo led the primary with 54.9%, holding a 10,136-vote margin the day after the general election on November 6. However, after a month of counting, Tran edged ahead by 653 votes.
Overall, Vo’s campaign emphasizes representation, service, and community engagement, aiming to address the diverse needs and concerns of the 45th District residents.