In the 2024 California primary election, Scott Baugh, the Republican congressional candidate for the 47th district, received 32.1% of the vote. With Republicans slightly outnumbering Democrats in the district, Baugh has a chance to defeat the Democratic candidate Dave Min and secure a seat in the House of Representatives.
Scott Baugh, born on July 4, 1962 (American Independence Day), holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Liberty University and a Juris Doctor from the McGeorge School of Law. He has worked as a lawyer and previously served as a Republican leader in the California State Assembly. Baugh stated on his campaign website, “I grew up on a farm and learned the value of hard work from a young age, as well as the importance of faith, family, and freedom.”
During the “Fight for America: Protecting Our Future with a More Perfect Union” themed event in Orange County, Scott Baugh talked about the erosion of the separation of powers by bureaucratic agencies in formulating, interpreting, and enforcing laws. He emphasized that “Wokeism” is the biggest current threat, leading people away from churches, which he claimed was worse than any war the country has fought.
Referring to the Declaration of Independence, Baugh highlighted the pursuit of happiness as the pursuit of a moral life, asserting that without virtue, one cannot attain happiness. He stressed the importance of courage and kindness in answering the call to pursue virtues.
Baugh pointed out that the purpose of government, as outlined in the Declaration of Independence, is to secure the rights that are derived from God and nature. He emphasized the need for elected representatives to be courageous in upholding the Constitution and understanding the purpose of government.
Addressing the issue of inflation causing economic pressure, Baugh criticized the substantial increase in federal spending from $4.45 trillion in 2019 to $6.21 trillion in 2023, resulting in a 40% increase within four years. He advocated for fiscal restraint to reduce deficits and achieve budget balance, warning that unchecked spending leads to inflation, effectively taxing the population.
Regarding immigration, Baugh highlighted the influx of 10 million unauthorized migrants in the past three years, attributing it to incentives such as free healthcare and education and open border policies. He called for clear leadership in enforcing laws and the lawful entry of individuals into the country.
On the topic of education, Baugh argued for performance-based systems that reward hard work and excellence without discrimination. He advocated for policies promoting educational competition through a variety of options, including public schools, private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling, to enhance overall academic standards.
A recent report revealed that California spent $24 billion on homelessness, with nearly one-third of the nation’s homeless population residing in the state. Baugh criticized the government’s mishandling of funds and pointed out the lack of transparency in how taxpayer money is utilized.
Baugh criticized a recent California law raising fast-food workers’ wages to $20 per hour as a result of labor union pressure. He argued that such measures could lead to increased unemployment and automation, indicating that government-mandated wage hikes are not ideal solutions.
In the 2022 midterm elections, Baugh lost to Katie Porter with 48.3% of the vote compared to Porter’s 51.7%, largely due to disparities in campaign funding. Despite the defeat, Baugh remained determined, citing ongoing efforts to engage with communities and garner support for his campaign.
The 47th district spans from Seal Beach in northern Orange County, extending along the coastline through Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach, with inland areas including Costa Mesa and Irvine.
Democratic candidate Dave Min, who won the 37th district state Senate seat in 2020, previously served as an assistant law professor at UC Irvine. Min introduced the SB1174 bill in February, aiming to prohibit local governments from enacting or enforcing regulations requiring individuals to present identification at elections, amidst attempts to block voter ID proposals in Huntington Beach since last September by the state attorney general and secretary of state.
While SB1174 is still under debate, Huntington Beach residents voted with a 53.4% majority to pass a city ordinance requiring voter identification in all municipal elections starting in 2026, along with additional polling stations and ballot drop box monitoring.