SANTA ANA — State Sen. Janet Nguyen will return to the Orange County Board of Supervisors to replace Andrew Do of the 1st District.
Nguyen, a Republican, currently represents Senate District 36. In the Nov. 5 election, she defeated Cypress City Councilmember Frances Marquez, 61.24% to 38.76% or 159,954 to 101,230 as of Dec. 1.
Elected to the State Senate in 2022, Nguyen previously served in the State Assembly (2020-22), in the State Senate (2014-18), on the Orange County Board of Supervisors (2007-14), and on the Garden Grove City Council (2004-07). She is also a small-business owner.
Nguyen is the first Vietnamese American elected to the State Senate, was the first woman supervisor to represent the 1st District, the first Asian American and the first Vietnamese-American to serve on the Board of Supervisors, and the youngest supervisor elected in Orange County history.
Do agreed in October to plead guilty to a felony federal charge for accepting more than $550,000 in bribes for directing and voting in favor of more than $10 million in COVID funds to a charity affiliated with one of his daughters, Rhiannon Do.
As part of his plea agreement, Do admitted that in exchange for more than $550,000 in bribes, beginning in 2020, he voted in favor of and directed millions of dollars in COVID-related funds to Viet America Society (VAS), a charity affiliated with his daughter. Do directed and worked together with other county employees to approve contracts with – and payments to – VAS. Do further admitted he acted corruptly and abused his position of trust as a county supervisor.
Both Nguyen and Marquez pledged to support an independent, outside investigation into the county government. But according to Voice of OC, Nguyen faced questions about her connections to Do, who was her chief of staff and a political ally before a public falling-out nearly 10 years ago.
The district, which Do had represented since 2015, includes Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, and Westminster.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the voters in the 1st District have placed in me,” Nguyen said in a statement on Nov. 27. “This victory is a win for our entire community. Voters have made it loud and clear with an overwhelming majority of votes that they want transparency, accountability, and an end to corruption in Orange County government. As your supervisor, I will work tirelessly to restore trust in our county government and continue my lifelong commitment to serving our community.
“To our incredible volunteers, supporters, donors and campaign staff — thank you for your tireless dedication and hard work. This campaign would not have been possible without you. To my husband, Tom, and our two boys, your unwavering love and support carried me through every step of this journey. Thank you for the endless nights helping at the campaign before and after work and school. You inspire me every day to fight for a brighter future for all families in Orange County.
“Together, we’ve restored the voice of the 1st District on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The work for a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future for Orange County begins now.”