Election 2020: Early return in Orange County shows Rep. Lou Correa with solid lead

Nov. 4--Two-term House Democrat Rep. Lou Correa took a predictably solid lead over conservative Republican James Waters as early election results came in Tuesday night for the 46th District.

Correa has the name recognition and his party holds a big advantage in district voter registration. He was also far ahead in fundraising, with nearly $1.2 million cash on hand while Waters had $1,692 heading into Election Day. No analysts were even tracking the CA-46 race, since Correa was presumed to have such a solid lock on the heavily blue district.

Waters acknowledged that reality, but he remained optimistic last month that he could pull off an upset because he believes Democrats have become too progressive for most Orange County residents.

Correa, 62, grew up in the district he now represents. He's worked as a banker, an attorney and a real estate broker, but he's also spent a long time in politics.

Before winning his CA-46 seat in 2016, Correa held offices representing California's 69th Assembly District, Orange County's 1st Supervisor District, and California's 34th Senate District.

Correa supports universal health care, abortion rights, gay marriage and expanded background checks to purchase firearms.

Much of Correa's efforts in congress have focused on immigration and veterans issues. He says he's particularly proud of voting to pass "The Dream and Promise Act," comprehensive legislation to help protect DREAMers, the term for young undocumented people who grew up in the United States after being brought to the country as orangeanahchildren.

Correa also sits on the House Judiciary Committee and Committee on Homeland Security, with subcommittee roles focused on border, transportation and online security.

See the latest election results

Waters beat out four other candidates during the March primary, including another Democrat and two independents, to advance to the Nov. 3 election with Correa.

Waters is a 62-year-old retired postal worker and disabled Marine from Anaheim. He's a political newcomer who's campaigning on a conservative platform of lowering taxes, opposing abortion rights and preventing transgender people from using the bathroom of the sex they identify with. He opposes policies such as universal healthcare, gay marriage and legalized marijuana.

Waters does support allowing DACA recipients to stay in the U.S. and creating a clear and quick pathway to immigration for undocumented immigrants.

The Republican challenger supports Donald Trump and is managing an Orange County Re-Elect President Trump Campaign Office. But he agrees with Correa on opposing the Trump tax plan's cap on SALT deductions for homeowners.

This story will be updated as votes are counted.

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